Work force in 30-44 age group high on heart disease risk: Study

Sedentary lifestyle, stressful work conditions and compromised diet are leading factors in precipitating heart disease risk among young work force in the age group of 30-44 in the country, a study has revealed.

The Saffola Life Study 2013, conducted by Marico Industries across 12 cities and covering more than 1.86 lakhs people across 30-100 age group, revealed a shocking large difference between the heart age and the chronological age beginning at 30 years with a noticeable peak observed in the 40s.

This meant that Young India's heart is ageing much faster.

The study on risk factors causing heart disease, revealed that 73 per cent males in the age group of 30-34 years and 76 per cent in 35-39 age group are at cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and 85 per cent of males in the age group of 40-44 years are at risk.

Around 60 per cent of females in their 30s and 40s are shown to be at high risk.

"Sedentary lifestyle, stressful work conditions and compromised diet are leading factors in precipitating heart disease risk. This has affected the heart health of the young work force in the 30-44 age group," Asian Heart Hospital Senior Cardiologist Dr Akshay Mehta said.

Lifestyle factors have also contributed to increase in CVD risk that includes increase in consumption of fried and processed foods.

Among people who consume processed foods, 61 per cent belong to the 30-44 age group while among the people who consume fried foods 63 per cent belong to the 30-44 age group.

Supporting the findings, Niti Desai, Independent Health, Wellness and Fitness Professional, said, "Diet has undergone major changes depending on convenience. Preference for processed and preserved foods and fried foods has gone up noticeably. High dependence on the same and a menu devoid of vegetables, fruits and whole grains will only make people more vulnerable to CVD."

When the study was conducted among 29,017 Mumbai respondents over a period of three years, it was revealed that 72 per cent of them had a high risk of contracting cardiovascular disease (CVD).

The study also revealed that 51 per cent of respondents in Mumbai had low levels of the heart protective HDL and 44 per cent reported to be consuming preserved/processed foods at least two times a week.

Mumbai was one of the cities with least number of respondents with diabetes at 12 per cent as compared to other metros.

The study revealed that 42 per cent of the Mumbai respondents also reported to consume fried foods at least two times in a week. Additionally, 71 per cent of them were guilty of consuming two or less servings of fibre rich whole grains in their diet.

When the physical activity of Mumbai participants was analysed, it emerged that a substantial 64 per cent of them exercised thrice a week or less. 10 per cent of the participants reported feeling drained four times a week or more.

The study also revealed that 54 per cent of Delhi and Chandigarh respondents were obese. Hyderabad and Chennai follow closely with 52 per cent and 51 per cent respondents respectively.

Nearly 6 per cent of Delhi and Chandigarh respondents were found to have high total cholesterol levels whereas Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Mumbai and Pune were reported to have 5 per cent respondents each with high total cholesterol levels.

The study stated that Chennai is the diabetes capital with 18 per cent Chennaites suffering from the condition.

Hyderabad closely followed with 17 per cent, Kolkata with 15 per cent and Bangalore with 15 per cent.

Mumbai, Pune and Chandigarh have the least proportion of participants with diabetes when compared to other metros at 12 per cent.

Among the preserved/processed food consumption, the study said Delhi NCR has the highest intake of preserved/processed foods per week, with 45 per cent consuming the same followed by 44 per cent from Mumbai and 43 per cent from Bangalore at least twice a week.

Delhi NCR emerged as the fried food capital with 49 per cent of the respondents admitting to enjoy fried foods at least two times in a week, Chandigarh follows with 45 per cent of respondents consuming fried foods at least twice a week.

Mumbai, Pune and Kolkata reported 42, 38 and 40 per cent respectively.