Eat right, stay fit

Jolted by the widespread devastation witnessed during the Covid-19 pandemic, people have become acutely aware of the importance of good health for fighting diseases. When the pandemic broke out, stress was laid on how those with pre-existing conditions such as hypertension or diabetes were more vulnerable if infected with coronavirus. In fact, Covid-19 was also seen to induce certain cardiovascular ailments as well as high blood glucose levels. The prevalence of such diseases in India — caused by poor dietary habits and lifestyles — is already staggeringly high.

With 6.8 crore diabetic patients, as per a 2016 study, India accounts for the second highest such figure in the world. Dishearteningly, the country is placed similarly for heart-related diseases, with an estimated 5.45 crore patients. One in four deaths is because of a cardiovascular disease (CVD). And, alarmingly, CVDs tend to affect people in their most productive years, causing an upheaval in the social and economic lives of the affected families. Compounding the problem is the cumulative effect of our poor health infrastructure, marked by a huge disparity in access to hospitals among the haves and the have-nots and urban and rural areas. It is not surprising that the rate of those succumbing to such diseases in India is much higher than in the rich countries.

Given these constraints, the focus must, undoubtedly, be on prevention. The key to disease prevention and fitness lies in a nutritious and balanced diet. Ramping up awareness drives can alert more middle/lower-class people about the health hazards of taking too much salt, sugar, transfats, alcohol and tobacco and the benefits that accrue from consuming fruits, nuts, cereals and vegetables rich in essential and immunity-boosting vitamins and minerals. Food policies must be geared towards this end. Special care is needed to approve and label eatables for food allergy patients. It’s equally essential for individuals to check their dietary habits, exercise routines and weight with the twin aims of overcoming or preventing diseases.