Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle diseases affecting men in metros

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Lifestyle diseases like diabetes and high cholesterol are now hitting more young men in metropolitan cities of India, says a new survey released here Monday on the occasion of World Men’s Health Week.

Of the 38,966 samples screened during June 9-15, 56.81 percent reported high diabetes levels. Over 41.48 percent of the samples were in the age group of 20-40, indicating an increasing trend of younger population getting hit by diabetes.

In another sample of 35,886 males, the survey found 8.21 percent with high cholesterol levels and 23.01 percent in the same age group with growing rate of cholesterol. The survey was conducted in Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai and Ahmedabad by Metropolis Healthcare Ltd.

High diabetes levels are usually associated with age, but other factors like body mass index, stress, family history of the disease, lack of physical activity etc. also significantly add to the problem. Moreover, both diabetics and high-cholesterol patients are highly risk-prone to cardiovascular diseases besides other major health problems.

The study suggested that besides regular screenings, people should go for preventive measures like reducing obesity, increasing physical activity, decreasing salt intake, among others.

Source: wonder woman

Small lifestyle changes ‘lower type 2 diabetes risk’

Modest lifestyle changes in diet and activity by South Asian families improve their chance of losing weight to lower their risk of type 2 diabetes, according to a study.

Making moderate improvements could help to improve their health and wellbeing, an Edinburgh clinical trial has found.

The Edinburgh University study was carried out in their homes as opposed to hospital clinics.

It is the first of its kind in the UK to focus on South Asian cultures.

Patients lost weight and reduced their hip and waist measurements and there were indications they were less likely to become diabetic by the end of the trial, which focused on people of Indian and Pakistani-origin.

Researchers said ethnic background and culture played an important role in shaping attitudes and behaviours towards diet and exercise.

National guidelines show South Asian people place strong emphasis on family life and eating together.

Body mass index

From a young age, South Asians are said to be sensitive or at risk of health problems linked to obesity.

Men from Pakistani and Indian communities are three times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than the general population, despite having similar body mass indexes, scientists said.

The three-year trial monitored 171 people of Indian and Pakistani background living in Scotland who were already at high risk of diabetes as shown by blood tests done at the start of the trial.

Participants were given detailed advice by dieticians and offered culturally-appropriate resources to help them manage their weight through diet and exercise.

At the same time, control groups were given basic advice, which was not culturally specific.

Professor Raj Bhopal, from Edinburgh University’s centre for population health sciences, said: “These differing approaches show us that a more family-centred strategy, with culturally tailored lifestyle advice, can produce significant benefits to people’s health through weight loss.”

The trial is published in the journal Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology.

Source: Pakistan Today

“Lifestyle changes makes city dwellers aloof”

With the city dwellers spending a greater time outside the home, either at work, or in traffic or in social networking sites, there is lesser interaction happening with one’s own relatives, said Dr Mahesh R Gowda, consultant physiatrist, Spandana health care.

He was speaking on the sidelines of the national seminar held on Thursday at Jyotinivas autonomous college on “Relationship management- An essential investment fro better living.”

Dr Vijay Nagaswamy, psychiatrist from Chennai who took part in the seminar observed the growth of phenomenal growth of the nation in the last thirty years, “We have seen changes in all spheres; an arranged marriage to the new trend of ‘hook up’ relationships. Increased mobility among the youth has given them greater opportunity to live away from home. There is greater focus on the individual than collective. There is a decrease in frustration tolerance among youth,” said Dr Vijay Nagaswamy.

“Improve interactive skills”

Speaking at the seminar Sr Elizabeth C S, Principal of Jyoti Nivas college said that what is needed for a job seeker is good communication, relationship management skills. “Thirty years ago, a person with excellent technical knowledge would have been hired by companies. But now what is being sought after is the communicative skills of a person and his/her ability to perform as a team player and maintain good relation with people around,” she said.

Source: Times of India