Telangana accounts for 25 per cent of central obesity, hypertension cases in country: Lance

Hyderabad: The nexus of work pressure, erratic lifestyles, and irregular eating habits has led to a surge in lifestyle diseases like obesity, hypertension, and diabetes among younger professionals in Telangana.

This silent health crisis looms large, particularly among the IT workforce in Hyderabad, which constitutes a significant economic engine of the state.

What are lifestyle diseases?

Lifestyle diseases are diseases whose occurrence is primarily based on daily habits and are a result of an inappropriate relationship between people with their environment. The main factors contributing to lifestyle diseases include bad food habits, physical inactivity, wrong body posture, and disturbed biological clock.

IT Workforce: Economic drivers and health challenges

With an IT (Information Technology) workforce ranging from 9 to 10 lakhs, generating a staggering revenue of over Rs 2,41,275 crores in FY 2022-23, Hyderabad’s IT sector is instrumental in driving the state’s economy.

However, the success story comes at the cost of public health, as insufficient efforts have been made to advocate healthy lifestyles among these professionals, especially within the age group of 30 to 40 years.

Vulnerability of IT employees: Insights from NIN study

Researchers from the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) conducted a Workplace Wellness Study in Hitec City, Madhapur, revealing a vulnerability among IT employees due to workplace stress and unhealthy lifestyles.

The study, published in the journal Nutrients in August 2023, identified a heightened risk of heart diseases, blood pressure issues, diabetes, strokes, and other related ailments, including chronic kidney and heart diseases.

Initiatives for change: Voluntary organizations’ efforts

Voluntary organisations have been collaborating with the HR wings of multinational corporations over the last four to five years to bring awareness to these issues.

They aim to foster a shift toward an active lifestyle among IT professionals. Encouragingly, positive changes have been noted, with employee groups engaging in activities such as gym workouts, running, yoga sessions, walking, and orientation sessions on healthy living.

Rajesh Vetcha, founding president of Hyderabad Runners, while highlighting the progress made so far noted, “A lot more has to be done.”

Telangana’s alarming health indicators

Telangana emerges as a cause for concern in lifestyle disease indicators, with a significant percentage of obesity and hypertension cases compared to other states.

The latest Lancet report on ‘Metabolic non-communicable disease health report of India’ from the Indian Council of Medical Research-India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB) study revealed that the state accounts for over 25 per cent of central obesity and hypertension cases.

Link between obesity and triglycerides

Medical experts draw a close link between abdominal obesity and triglycerides. Dr Kiran Madala, Professor and Head of the Department of Critical Care Medicine at Nizamabad Medical College, warned about the consequences of untreated triglyceridemia and uric acids, emphasising their long-term impact on heart and kidney health.

“Incidence of obesity, hypertension and triglyceridemia is way too high in Telangana. It tells a lot about our low level of physical activity and eating processed food. We regularly come across patients having high levels of triglycerides and uric acid levels,” he said.

“These are signs of metabolic syndrome. Untreated triglyceridemia and uric acids affect the heart and kidney in the long term,” explained Dr Kiran Madala.

Lifestyle factors amplifying health risks

Dr Sanjeev Singh Yadav, honorary secretary of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Telangana, pointed out that the role of lifestyle choices such as high consumption of alcohol, increased intake of processed food, and sedentary jobs is leading to central obesity, characterised by excess accumulation of fat in the abdominal area, poses a significant risk due to the release of fatty deposits into the bloodstream.

“High levels of cholesterol due to increased consumption of cheese, junk food and non-vegetarian food along with long hours of desk job leads to central obesity. Obesity is a medical problem that largely increases the risk of other health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, etc. In Telangana, high consumption of alcohol is also a leading cause,” said Dr Sanjeev Singh Yadav.

Diabetic concerns in Telangana

Telangana faces additional challenges with diabetic and pre-diabetic populations ranging between 7.5 to 10 per cent among southern states, according to the report, adding to the multifaceted health concerns in the region.

Urgent call for holistic health measures

The rise of lifestyle diseases in Telangana, particularly among the IT workforce, demands immediate attention and concerted efforts. Initiatives to promote healthier lifestyles must be further intensified.

“It’s imperative for corporations, healthcare professionals, and individuals to collaborate in implementing holistic health measures to counteract this silent health crisis. Prioritising well-being and embracing healthier lifestyle choices are paramount for steering towards a healthier future,” concluded Dr Madala.