Dr Asangba Tzudir
More than 1 billion people worldwide are obese which includes 650 million adults, 340 million adolescents and 39 million children. The World Health Organization has estimated that by 2025 approximately 167 million people will become less healthy because of obesity.
The Indian context of obesity which is undergoing a rapid epidemiological transition from underweight to overweight presents a stark reality where one in every four has a weight problem as reported by India Today. Based on the current trends, the Indian Academy of Paediatrics has estimated that by 2050, 60% of males and 50% of females will be obese, wherein 8% of 1-2 year old obese children will become obese adults, and 80% of 10-14 year olds will become obese adults.
This emerging trend of obesity can be attributed largely to the lack of proper exercise coupled with an unhealthy diet. Besides, the growing number of fast food outlets especially in the commercial hub of Nagaland has added a different dimension to the very concept of eating, bringing about a drastic change in our culture, identity and lifestyle. More so, we don’t know how much we need to eat, especially where eating is a fashion.
With the invasion of fast food especially among children and with hardly any physical activity, obesity has become a common phenomenon. And with the coming of more fast food outlets besides junk food, it is important to be reminded of the various health concerns that cannot be taken with a casual approach.
Even our home cooked food can be unhealthy. Our food habits have a close association with culture and lifestyle rather than on nutrient value and health concerns. High levels of fats and sugar are not only unhealthy but addictive making it hard for people to choose the more healthy food. It sets an unhealthy eating pattern especially among children who develop a liking for fast food/junk food which are laden with growth hormones.
Some scientists believe that gorging on food that is excessively high on fat and sugar can cause changes to your brain and body making it hard to avoid the habitual fast food. And with the great hormones that play a role in regulating appetite it is bound to get more addictive making one’s appetite rejuvenate at the thought of fast food even when one may not be hungry.
The ill effects of fast food are myriad. Over a period of time, fast food can lead to an increased risk of illness and various lifestyle associated disease. Studies have also suggested that a rich fat meal can increase ones stress level. Then there are more risky disease related to heart, blood vessels, liver, diabetes, peptic ulcers and many more.
While it is important to maintain a healthy diet besides avoiding fast food as much as possible, the aspect of maintaining health and fitness from an early age is a much needed consideration. This is where schools in Nagaland can prepare for the health and fitness of the students through the introduction of various physical related games and sports activities and various fitness exercises.
Space congestion is an issue in many schools and having a playground is a luxury. There may be a lot of co-curricular activities, but it is more of mental related activity. As such due emphasis also needs to be given to the physical related activities. Simply conducting sports day is not enough for building and developing health and fitness but requires such physical activities all through the year.
There is need for schools to develop better games and sports infrastructure towards the promotion and development of health and fitness among school children. While it will not only develop health and fitness but will go a long way in addressing the mental health issues which is integral for better studies and rejuvenated learning.
(Dr Asangba Tzudir contributes a weekly guest editorial to The Morung Express. Comments can be mailed to asangtz@gmail.com)
