Our kids are healthier than the rest, finds WHO
Thursday - December 5, 2019 2:51 pm ,
Category : WTN SPECIAL
WTN- Sedentary lifestyle and growing prevalence of lifestyle diseases may be a major concern for India but there is some good news from WHO regarding physical activities in youngsters. India is among the top ten ranking countries with the ‘lowest level of insufficient physical activity’ among adolescents. The list of 146 countries is topped by Bangladesh with the lowest insufficiency, while the US sits on the fourth rung.
The new WHO study, finds that more than 80 per cent of school-going adolescents globally did not meet current recommendations of at least one hour of physical activity per day – including 85 per cent of girls and 78 per cent of boys, but the situation was better in the US, Bangladesh and India. In India our work culture and household living pattern is largely sedentary. We sit long hours at work and eat spicy food. This leads to undue oil and fat accumulation, leading to increased cholesterol in the body, posing risk of heart diseases. We eat sugary things and spend languid hours slumped on the sofa at odd times, making ourselves prone to obesity and diabetes.
A daily regimen of 15-mnt exercise sits low on our priority list. Most Indians sleep late and wake up late, which diminishes the chances of finding time for physical exercise. Obesity is a grave Indian urban crisis and lack of exercise coupled with unbridled consumption of junk food is the sole reason for obesity. Obesity in its wake ushers in a whole bunch of lifestyle diseases starting from heart ailments, to hypertension, depression, stress, diabetes, kidney ailments etc. Sports and games are never highly encouraged in our society which gives undue leverage to bookish knowledge and long hours of study.
In later life, due to lack of time and availability of space and opportunity, sports and exercise further becomes a distant dream for most of us. We slog in air-conditioned cubicles from morning till the late evening hours, come home seating an hour in our car and go to bed after having anything we get on the platter. We make uninformed food choice and gulp down the throat unwittingly a hell lot of things which should ideally be avoided for a healthy life. Incidents of heart attacks and cancers are showing exponential rise in the country.
Growing pollution, lack of ventilation in our homes, lack of greenery around and lack of exercise is also leading to weakening of our lungs and giving rise to several lung diseases early in life. However, despite all the searing reality it is also a fact that Indian children are much more physically active than children in over 130 other countries. Yes, with time and age our propensity and enthusiasm for physical activities and exercise reduces, yet till late adolescence, our children are relatively doing well. We may not have the best of sporting facilities around like in the US but here children in millions still walk miles to school. Due to lack of lavish commuting options, millions of children still walk down to the neigbourhood shop or to their tuition class.
Our children still play rustic games of gilli danda and luka chhipi or gully cricket by running and sweating. These naturally make them more active and healthier by default. Yes, the stress now has to be laid on bettering the options and facilities for the middle-aged population, which is the most vulnerable class as far as health is concerned. The urban planners need to plan cycle and jogging tracks in every colony. More public parks and open spaces need to be developed to soak in the needs of a growing population. More trees need to dot the urban space.
People must be encouraged to come out of their homes and walk and cycle for their better health. Schools too need to give proper stress to sports and better facilitate students to choose the physical activity of their liking. People should maintain proper life-work balance and avoid stress by taking out time for their hobbies or recreation.
Proper sleep, rest and selective food consumption are also as important as exercise. Early symptoms of any malady must not be ignored and proper medical advice must be sought immediately. Early course correction can save us from lot many possible afflictions in later life.- Window To News
