Study says it's one of the main reasons for them getting diabetes & high blood pressure.
Mind your weight! A report released by a city-based NGO shows that 66% Mumbaikars are obese and that is one of the main reasons behind them getting diabetes and blood pressure issues.
The report was recently compiled by NGO Narmada Kidney Foundation (NKF) after conducting several health camps across the city at various organisations and localities. In all, 1,855 adults of various age groups and socio-economic strata were surveyed.
Dr Bharat Shah, nephrologist and NFK founder, while informing about the upcoming Transplant Games 2013 on November 30, said, “We have been creating awareness about kidney diseases and precautionary measures for the same. Obesity and diabetes are the first steps towards developing complications in vital organs, such as kidney, heart and brain. We conduct check-up camps across the year and the trend suggests that obesity is on the rise in Mumbai.”
The survey showed that 26% were hypertensive and 23% diabetic. Of all the hypertensive subjects, 33% were detected for the first time, and of the remaining 67%, who knew they were hypertensive, one-third of them did not have it under control. Of all the diabetic subjects, 15% were detected for the first time, and among the rest, who knew they had diabetes, two-third had not kept it under control.
Giving reasons for the same, Shah said junk food, lack of exercise and an unhealthy lifestyle are the main culprits. He added that there is a need for creating a lot of awareness pertaining to healthy living and important issues like organ donation in India.
Shah said the survey results are of great significance because 60% who develop kidney failure are those who have uncontrolled high blood pressure and diabetes. “If the blood pressure and diabetes are well controlled, incidence of kidney failure can come down to 40% of what it is today,” he added.
Agreeing with Shah, Dr Jatin Kothari, consulting nephrologist, PD Hinduja hospital, said, “In the last few years, there has been a rapid increase in the diabetic getting kidney problems. What is surprising is that we are getting many young people with diabetes and kidney problems. Type II diabetes is a bigger worry than type I diabetes. Progression of the kidney problem in patients with type II diabetes is faster than in those with type I diabetes and more difficult to treat. At least 50% requiring dialysis or transplant are diabetic.”
He added that early diagnosis of type II diabetes and a proper lifestyle can help bring down the disease figures. “Detection of type II diabetes is very late. Also, lifestyle, stress levels, dietary habits are leading to a high number of diabetes cases. If a person gets diabetes, it’s very important that s/he keep it in control. The diabetic should be screened regularly for kidney disease,” said Kothari.
The NKF has organised National Transplant Games in Mumbai, in which 275 patients from across India will participate to create awareness about these lifestyle diseases on November 30.
Fat facts
The survey shows that 26% of Mumbaikars were hypertensive and 23% diabetic. Of all the hypertensive subjects, 33% were detected for the first time.
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