50% Mumbai collegians are overweight and obese: Study
The survey found 42% subjects had abnormal waist circumference. “The most shocking aspect was that 58% of those surveyed didn’t consider obesity a disease,” added Todkar, who consults at L H Hiranandani Hospital in Powai.
MUMBAI: A survey among nearly 10,000 city collegians between 18 and 25 shows nearly half (46%) are either overweight or obese, raising major concerns about the health of the nation's youth.
"We not only found one out of every two youths in our survey unfit, we realized they don't link obesity to diseases,'' said Dr Jayashree Todkar, who conducted the survey. "Obesity to them is a problem with size and shape.'' Obesity is a leading cause for cholesterol problems, hypertension, diabetes and cancer, among many others.
"If the youth are overweight, it is a disaster waiting to happen. These young people will end up with multiple diseases at a younger age in comparison to previous generations," said Dr Ramen Goel. No single study to ascertain obesity levels in India is available, but city-centric surveys have thrown up diverse figures ranging from 30% to 70%.
Experts are not surprised that almost half of Mumbai's youth are plus-size. "Affluence in metros such as Mumbai leads to over-gadgetization that promotes sedentarism, which, in turn, fuels obesity," said endocrinologist Dr Shashank Joshi. Instead of physical activity such as running or sports, many of today's youths prefer to "only exercise" their eye and finger muscles over their smartphones, he added.
Dr Todkar, head of the Maharashtra chapter of the Association for Advanced Research in Obesity, conducted the survey among students, ranging from newcomers to post-graduates, of 15 colleges between February and April 2014. "While talking to some of the youths coming to us with obesity-related problems, we realized many didn't realize the correlation between obesity and family history and other diseases,'' she said.
The survey found 42% subjects had abnormal waist circumference. "The most shocking aspect was that 58% of those surveyed didn't consider obesity a disease," added Todkar, who consults at L H Hiranandani Hospital in Powai.
Dr Anoop Misra, an endocrinologist from Delhi who has conducted several studies on levels of obesity in children and grown-ups, said the growing acceptance of plus-sizes is a disturbing aspect. "Nowadays, it is normal to be overweight. In my clinic, patients wonder why they should lose weight when everybody is overweight. If you see more fat people in society, you will believe that being fat is normal,'' he said.
The new survey also found that only 6% of the youths took up physical pursuits such as sports or running. "Most of those interviewed felt travelling in a city like Mumbai leaves them with no time or energy for exercises," said Todkar.
But a structured physical regimen would go a long way in checking the obesity epidemic. "Our schooling system induces stress which is worsened by the lack of physical exercise, too much of junk food and TV viewing," said Joshi. He feels the education system should be overhauled to improve health. "Children should have more sports periods and must be taught about health eating habits."
"We not only found one out of every two youths in our survey unfit, we realized they don't link obesity to diseases,'' said Dr Jayashree Todkar, who conducted the survey. "Obesity to them is a problem with size and shape.'' Obesity is a leading cause for cholesterol problems, hypertension, diabetes and cancer, among many others.
"If the youth are overweight, it is a disaster waiting to happen. These young people will end up with multiple diseases at a younger age in comparison to previous generations," said Dr Ramen Goel. No single study to ascertain obesity levels in India is available, but city-centric surveys have thrown up diverse figures ranging from 30% to 70%.
Dr Todkar, head of the Maharashtra chapter of the Association for Advanced Research in Obesity, conducted the survey among students, ranging from newcomers to post-graduates, of 15 colleges between February and April 2014. "While talking to some of the youths coming to us with obesity-related problems, we realized many didn't realize the correlation between obesity and family history and other diseases,'' she said.
The survey found 42% subjects had abnormal waist circumference. "The most shocking aspect was that 58% of those surveyed didn't consider obesity a disease," added Todkar, who consults at L H Hiranandani Hospital in Powai.
Dr Anoop Misra, an endocrinologist from Delhi who has conducted several studies on levels of obesity in children and grown-ups, said the growing acceptance of plus-sizes is a disturbing aspect. "Nowadays, it is normal to be overweight. In my clinic, patients wonder why they should lose weight when everybody is overweight. If you see more fat people in society, you will believe that being fat is normal,'' he said.
The new survey also found that only 6% of the youths took up physical pursuits such as sports or running. "Most of those interviewed felt travelling in a city like Mumbai leaves them with no time or energy for exercises," said Todkar.
But a structured physical regimen would go a long way in checking the obesity epidemic. "Our schooling system induces stress which is worsened by the lack of physical exercise, too much of junk food and TV viewing," said Joshi. He feels the education system should be overhauled to improve health. "Children should have more sports periods and must be taught about health eating habits."
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