Junk food can show on your hips!

Shocked by the growing number of pot-bellied uncles and portly aunties sweating it out in your neighbourhood gym. Time to wake up. All junk and no activity, might not go down well with your body...

Shocked by the growing number of pot-bellied uncles and portly aunties sweating it out in your neighbourhood gym. Time to wake up. Obesity in urban India has grown by an alarming number in recent years. By WHO statistics, India ranks second among the most obese populations of the world, with nearly 155 million people in its grip. By 2020, these numbers are expected to go even higher.

"Almost 30-40 per cent of the South Delhi population is suffering from obesity and now we are at par with the US," says Dr Anup Dhir, a plastic and cosmetic surgeon at the Apollo hospital.

Excessive fat accumulation in the body is a definite sign of obesity. And today’s party culture and unhealthy lifestyle are the major causes for this growing epidemic, points out Dr Dhir. Worse, it leads to other health problems like increased blood pressure, diabetes and heart ailments.

“Long working hours, no physical activity and huge intake of junk food is pushing the BPO and desk job professionals to a very risky life,” says Dr P K Talwar, a cosmetic surgeon at Max hospital.

But doctors say no amount of jogging, running and gym exercise help unless a person is willing to take care of his diet. “Meals eaten at regular intervals and in small portions can help to a great extent. And any kind of sugary drink is not healthy. Instead, stick to a fibre high diet,” suggests health consultant Dr Shikha Sharma.