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What are lifestyle diseases?. |
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Lifestyle diseases are diseases which are directly or indirectly caused by unhealthy lifestyles. Lifestyle diseases include obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke and diseases associated with smoking, alcohol and drug abuse. |
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What is the present scenario of lifestyle diseases? |
As per WHO, an estimated 16.7 million or 29.2% of total global deaths result from the various forms of cardiovascular disease. More than 50% of the deaths and disability from heart disease and strokes can be cut by a combination of simple, cost-effective lifestyle interventions to reduce major risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and smoking.
We conducted a school health survey on 46 schools from Ernakulam district. Data was collected from 25,000 students of 5-16 years for a period of 4 years (2003-06). The study found an increasing trend of childhood obesity in a short period of 2 years. In this short span, obesity in children showed an increase of 50%. Hypertension was seen in high percentages in overweight and obese children. The results suggest the need for more public awareness and preventive programs on childhood lifestyle diseases. |
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What are lifestyle interventions? |
| A good number of chronic diseases we acquire throughout our life are directly or indirectly related to unhealthy lifestyles, which are part of our every day life. Modifying these unhealthy lifestyles for the purpose of reducing the risk of developing lifestyle diseases contribute to lifestyle interventions. Eating a healthy balanced diet, increasing fruits and vegetables intake, having regular exercise of moderate intensity, decreasing sedentary activities to the minimum, avoidance of stressful situations and keeping away from unhealthy habits like smoking, drinking alcohol and drug abuse are the major lifestyle interventions. These minor changes in lifestyle bring significantly major changes to our health with long-term benefits. |
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Why should our children be focused? |
| The ideal timings for lifestyle interventions so as to give maximum results is the pediatric age group. Lifestyle modification is relatively easier and long lasting when incorporated in childhood itself. In addition to this, lot of diseases which appear in childhood and adolescence like obesity, hypertension and cholesterol abnormalities becomes difficult to treat once adulthood is attained. Awareness and adoption of healthy lifestyle practices at childhood ensures good health throughout life. |
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Why should we worry about excess weight in children? |
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All children are expected to have healthy heights and weights for their age and sex. Any child who is having excess weight than recommended for his/her age, height and sex is at risk for lot of diseases. Over weight is assessed by body mass index (BMI), which is weight in Kg/ (height in m)2. If your child’s BMI is above 85th percentile, he/she is defined overweight, if it is above 95th percentile, he/she is defined obese. Childhood obesity significantly increases the risk of having hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol abnormalities, heart disease, stroke, joint issues and other chronic diseases. Of the children with obesity, 80 % will remain as obese adults unless interventions are attempted. The good thing about obesity is that the majority of illnesses associated with it can be avoided or reduced if successful weight loss is implemented. |
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