Obese women outnumber men

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Have you ever measured the span of your tummy? For men it should be under 90cm and under 80cm for women. If not, you are under risk, say doctors, naming diabetes, cardio vascular diseases, stroke and hypertension as possible health issues.

Obesity is the latest threat among Keralites which has increased the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCD).Now, Kerala holds the second spot for obesity in the country, right next to Punjab. Also, in Kerala obese women outnumbered obese men.
A study conducted by Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies found that 44% women in Kerala are obese and among them 71% have abdominal obesity.
Only healthy food habits and physical activity can bring down this tummy fat, which is the root cause of all NCDs.
“We are witnessing a change from communicable diseases to NCDs. The health impact of obesity is diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and stroke,” said Dr Sreejith N Kumar, the diabetologist who brought out a food policy for Indian Medical Association. The policy is a set of guidelines on safe and healthy habits that must be followed to prevent NCDs.
Among Indian states, Kerala stands second in obesity based on the data got from national family health survey. It is right next to Punjab. Hence the risk of NCDs is more here, said Dr T Suresh Kumar, managing editor of Nammude Arogyam, IMA's health magazine.
Only 36% of men have abdominal obesity. But women have lower hypertension rate than men in Kerala. As per the study, only 28% women have hypertension when compared to 35% men.
“Overweight, unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, family history and high blood pressure are the key risk factors. A modification in the lifestyle with physical activity and healthy diet can prevent or delay the onset of diabetes and other communicable diseases,” said Dr Sreejith.