Indian males at a risk for developing Metabolic Syndrome due to fault lifestyle

Indian males at a risk for developing Metabolic Syndrome due to fault lifestyle Healthy eating and timely assessment of vital statistics are some preventive measures New Delhi, 27 August 2017: Statistics indicate that people with metabolic syndrome (MS) are at a three times higher risk for heart attack and stroke. They are also at a five-fold risk of developing Type II diabetes. According to the IMA, the urban male is likely to develop MS largely due to faulty lifestyle. Abdominal or central obesity is a common occurrence in India and such individuals have thin limbs but fat around the abdomen. A person is said to have MS when along with Waist Circumference of more than 90 cm (men), 80 cm (women), any two of following five are present:triglycerides of more than 150 mg/dl, HDL Cholesterol less than 40 mg (male) and 50 mg (female), fasting sugar (glucose) of more than 100 mg or presence of Diabetes and Hypertension of more than 130 mm Hg systolic or 85 diastolic. Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement, said, “Increasing inactivity and a diet consisting of processed food are some primary reasons for MS. MS refers to a cluster of conditions namely increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels. When these occur together, the chances of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes automatically increase. MS is also linked to insulin resistance. In this condition, the cells don't respond normally to insulin, and glucose can't enter the cells as easily. This makes the glucose levels in blood rise despite the body's attempt to control it by churning out more and more insulin.” Some risk factors for MS include age, race, obesity and weight around the abdomen, diabetes, and other conditions such as cardiovascular disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or polycystic ovary syndrome. Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, said, “The best way to prevent the risk of MS is to make aggressive lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise.If these do not work, the doctor might prescribe medications to help control your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood glucose.Studies have indicated that individuals who consume a vegetarian diet have a lower risk for developing MS than those who do not.” Here are some tips to prevent MS. • Exercise for about 30 to 60 minutes every day. Make a slow start but ensure that your continue physical activity thereafter. • Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and low fat dairy. Go easy on saturated fats, trans fat, cholesterol, and salt. • Those who are overweight should lose weight and people with a normal weight should aim at maintaining the same. • Quit smoking right away. • Schedule regular checkups with your doctor to assess your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.

Tackling obesity in children

Tackling obesity in children More than 30% people of the society including children have potbelly abdominal obesity. India reportedly witnesses 10 million cases of childhood obesity annually. New Delhi, March 22, 2017: India is witnessing an epidemic of metabolic syndrome, which is characterized by abdominal obesity, high triglyceride, low good cholesterol, high blood pressure and high sugar. Abdominal girth of more than 90 cm in men and 80 cm in women indicates that the person is vulnerable to future heart attack. Normal weight obesity is the new epidemic. A person could be obese even if his body weight was within the normal range. Children with BMI equal to or exceeding the age-gender-specific 95th percentile are defined obese. An extra inch of fat around the abdomen increases the chances of heart disease by 1.5 times. Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President, Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement said that, “Normally once the height stops growing, most of the organs will also stop growing. The weight of the heart, liver of kidney cannot increase after that. Only muscles can build up to some extent. The only thing, after that stage, which can increase the weight of the body, is deposition of fat. Therefore any weight gain after puberty is invariably due to fat. Though the overall weight can be in the acceptable normal range but any weight gain within that range will be abnormal for that person. One should not gain weight of more than 5 kg after the age of 20 years in males and 18 years in females. After the age of 50, the weight should reduce and not increase.” “Potbelly obesity is linked to eating refined carbohydrates and not animal fats. General obesity is linked to eating animal fats. Refined carbohydrate includes white rice, white maida and white sugar. Brown sugar is better than white sugar. Refined carbohydrates are called bad carbohydrates and animal fat is called bad fat. Trans fat or vanaspati is bad for health. It increases the levels of bad cholesterol and reduces good cholesterol in the body. Reduction in weight can reduce snoring, pain of arthritis, blood pressure and control uncontrolled diabetes”, add Dr K K Aggarwal. Childhood Obesity can further lead to diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. 70 percent of obese youth had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Children and adolescents who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as social stigma and poor self-esteem. Following are some key points for tackling obesity in children: 1. Skip carbohydrates once in a week. 2. Combine a sweet food with bitter food (prefer aloomethi over aloomatar). 3. Walk, walk and walk… 4. Consume green bitter items in foods such as karela, methi, palak, bhindi etc. 5. Do not eat trans fats (vanaspati). 6. Do not consume more than 80 ml of soft drink in a day. 7. Do not consume sweets with more than 30% sugar. 8. Avoid maida, rice and white sugar. Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4859125/