Obesity cases on rise in Kashmir

Various programs meant to create awareness about hazards of obesity and check its spread have failed to take off in Kashmir.

As per latest data, one out of every three children in Kashmir is either obese or overweight. In adults, different studies by Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) put percentage of obese/overweight population at 15-20 percent.

   

The percentage of obese men and women has respectively tripled and doubled in Kashmir in the past one decade, as per National Family Health Survey 4.

Medical experts and doctors have been repeatedly cautioning that young population in J&K especially students were prone to this life-style diseases owing the risky food habits.

Earlier this year, union health ministry directed state government to ensure that no sale of junk food is allowed in educational institutes – schools, colleges and universities.

Following the directive an advisory was issued by drug and food control organization (DFCO) of J&K in newspapers. However, the advisory by DFCO and many similar directions from university grants commission and school education department have seen little or no impact on ground.

Canteens and tuck shops around most educational institutes can be seen openly selling foods high in calories, high in sugar and salt, and high in fats.

These nutritionally deficient food items, termed junk foods, enjoy popularity with young generation, replacing healthy meals and pushing them on path of unhealthy weight gain, doctors said.

Doctors in Kashmir have been warning of growing obesity and its effects for long. Prof Shariq Masoodi, who works in department of endocrinology at SKIMS feels Kashmir’s young population, especially children, are more prone to diabetes.

He called the trend of obesity “alarming”, arguing people engage themselves in very less physical activity. “These things together unfold the metabolic syndrome, a package of various diseases and conditions such as diabetes, heart diseases, sleep apnea and more,” he said.

He held food habits as primary culprit behind this trend and called for “aggressive” strategies to reverse it. 

“People need to be educated about relationship between weight, diet and diseases,” he said, adding that there needs to be corresponding system that can help people bring about a change in themselves. “It starts from home and school,” he said.

Dr Abdul Kabir, commissioner food safety blamed lax implementation of junk food ban on campuses on staff shortage in his department. “We are pressed for resources and this program, although vital in ensuring access to safe and healthy food, is getting affected,” he said.

He added that department was “trying to create awareness” about healthy eating and bringing message of reduction in salt, sugar and fat to the masses through rallies. “We have already organized rallies across various districts, but much more needs to be done,” he said.

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