Indians have weaker hearts than Americans: and 81% Indians inactive:Study

We have weaker hearts than Americans: Study
Tue Apr 24, 2012 2:39 am (PDT)

We have weaker hearts than Americans: Study 4 Out Of 5 Indians Are Inactive
Mumbai: There is now statistical proof to say that urban Indian lifestyles are queering the pitch for the Indian heart. Born with thinner arteries and at genetic risk for cardiac diseases, Indians are worsening their risk for heart diseases with poor physical activity, a highfat diet and by steadily shunning fruits and vegetables.
A study released at the World Congress of Cardiology in Dubai on Thursday said four of five Indians led an inactive life and about half were on a high-fat diet. Called the Indian Heart Watch (IHW), spanning 11 cities and covering 6,000 men and women, it was offered as the first-ever study on risk factors for heart diseases in India.
"The study showed risk factors are now at higher levels in India than in developed countries and regions such as the US and western Europe,'' said the study's researchers. Indian Heart Watch looked at three lifestyle factors - physical activity, diet and smoking-as well as biological factors like obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure. Shockingly, even smaller towns showed higher incidence of smoking.
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81% Indians inactive: Study
Tue Apr 24, 2012 2:39 am (PDT) 81% Indians inactive: Study High-Fat Diet & No Activity Increase Heart Disease Risk

Mumbai: Urban Indians are at higher risk of heart disease than people in the US or Western Europe, thanks to high inactivity, finds a study. The Indian Heart Watch study covered major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai as well as mid-sized towns like Agra and Rohtak. Cities had widespread physical inactivity. Even smaller towns had a higher incidence of smoking and low intake of fruits and vegetables. The research team comprising Jaipur-based cardiologist Rajeev Gupta, said improper urban social development worsened cardiac risk factors in Indians. Around 79% of men and 83% women (who participated in the study) were physically inactive, while 51% men and 48% women had high-fat diets. "About 60% men and 57% women were found to have a low intake of fruit and vegetables, while 12% men and 0.5% women smoke,'' the study said. Around 41% of men and 45% women were overweight. High blood pressure was reported in 33% men and 30% women, high cholesterol in a quarter of all men and women. Diabetes was reported in 34% men and 37% women. One of the study's authors, Prakash Deedwania from the University of California, said in Dubai that India was the world's coronary and diabetes capital. His co-author, Dr Gupta said, "Improving urban planning and living conditions is critical to curb the cardio-vascular epidemic." JJ Hospital's head of cardiology, Dr N O Bansal, said while urban Indians were guilty of low activity, fat content in desi food is not high. STAY ACTIVE, EAT HEALTHY - Physical Activity | Denoted as moderateintensity activity like brisk walking or bicycling, for greater than or equal to 30 minutes per day for 5 days a week, or vigorous-intensity activities for greater than or equal to 20 minutes per day, for 3 days a week - Insufficient Physical Activity | More than a total 10 minutes of moderate or vigorous-intensity activities per week, but less than recommended levels, is insufficient - Inactivity | Doing moderate or vigorousintensity lifestyle activities for less than 10 minutes per week classifies as inactivity - High-Fat Diet | Pork, organs like kidney, liver, fried or butter chicken, yellow of the egg, fried fish and very oily vegetarian, fried-stuff such as French fries, samosas and bhajias - Complications | In some, the combination of low activity and high-fat diet can lead to obesity, higher levels of cholesterol, higher blood pressure and, thereby, an increased risk of heart disease
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