Lifestyle diseases catching up with higher altitude residents

Considered a burden of the cities, lifestyle diseases are catching up with residents in higher altitude areas.

"We have found that those residing in altitudes as high as 10,000 to 11,000 feet too are being diagnosed of lifestyle diseases. Obesity, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, colon cancer and premature mortality are becoming quiet common here now," said Colonel IVS Gehlot, Colonel Medical, Three Infantry Division in Karoo region of Leh.

He blamed it on easy accessibility of fast food and people giving into wrong eating habits.

"People need to be sensitised about how to lead a healthy lifestyle especially being in higher altitudes for a disease-free future," he said, adding that Army is organising a two-day seminar on "Health and Lifestyle diseases" in the cloudburst-hit Karoo region to raise awareness on the issue.

The seminar is being organised on May 26 and 27. The Three Infantry Division had carried out relief and rescue operations in this area after a cloudburst had caused flash flood and mudslide in this area causing severe devastation.