Lifestyle diseases bigger threat than AIDS

Lifestyle diseases pose a greater threat to ordinary Indians than even HIV/AIDS, according to renowned cardiologist Dr RR Kasliwal. He warned India would account for 60 per cent of the world’s cardiovascular diseases by 2010. Nivedita Khandekar reports.

Lifestyle diseases pose a greater threat to ordinary Indians than even HIV/AIDS, according to renowned cardiologist Dr RR Kasliwal.

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Quoting a Lancet report, he warned India would account for 60 per cent of the world’s cardiovascular diseases by 2010. “Today, one-third of our population is obese. Children and adults, both in urban and rural areas, are increasingly becoming prone to lifestyle diseases,” Dr Kasliwal told the audience.

He was delivering the keynote address ‘Lifestyle Diseases — An Indian Epidemic’ at the second annual conference of the Medical Health Society with the theme ‘Healthy Lifestyle at Workplace’ here on Sunday.

The mantra propagated by the Medical Fitness Society for a healthier you is ASAP — Awareness, Screening, Action and Prevention.

Risk-factor modification can help, he emphasized and went on to explain various such factors. The expert pointed out that lifestyle modification should include regular check-ups and certain health parameters such as weight reduction, dietary prudence, regular exercise, ban on smoking and relaxation techniques.

Earlier, Nisha Varma gave a lecture-demonstration on ‘Stay Fit at Work’; Geetu Amarnani spoke on ‘Anti-Oxidants & Fibre Diet’; Uma Gupta espoused the cause of ‘Healthy Diet at Workplace’. The discussion that followed threw up interesting suggestion/comments from participants like Dr Shekhar Sood, who said “medical practitioners should not push for pills as supplements rather encourage natural sources like fruits and vegetables”. Dr Renu Anand asked “why not practice as we preach and initiate lifestyle change, like eating properly?”

While eulogizing the “impact of positive thinking in fitness”, Dr Aruna Broota suggested we train our minds in rational emotional approach while dealing with issues. Other speakers included Dr Vinayak Agarwal and Dr Taru Aggarwal.

The Medical Fitness Society has doctors, fitness experts, nutritionists, trainers and media persons as its members.