DFI strives towards freedom from disease on I-Day

New Delhi, Aug 14 (UNI) The Diabetes Foundation (India) today knelled the wake-up call for curbing rising incidence of children being diagnosed with diabetes, obesity and other lifestyle-related diseases, warning that unless checked, they could only be described as ''health and economic disasters for India''.

Lauching a month-long campaign to raise awareness among the youth and various sections of society on the importance of proper lifestyle management, DFI took a pledge on the eve of Independence Day to help people achieve freedom from such lifestyle diseases.

According to recent studies conducted by the DFI and Dr Misra's team, 29 per cent of children in public schools in Delhi and 11.1 per cent in government schools are overweight/obese in the age group of 14-18 years. Children also suffer from hypertension, high cholesterol levels and other such diseases.

Among the reasons for increasing obesity figures are dietary changes and a lack of exercise, which have the potential to significantly impact social and psychological changes in later stages of one's lifecycle.

Speaking at the function organised at the Indian Medical Association, Director, Dept of Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Fortis Hospital, Dr Anoop Misra said there was a need to initiate such campaigns, particularly when India is on the verge of becoming the diabetic capital of the world and obesity figures have increased by 30 per cent in urban Indian schools, close to be called an epidemic.

'' Such a health initiative is extremely important for India and would not only aim at decreasing diabetes but several other related diseases including heart disease. If we teach correct diet and lifestyle to children at an early age, loss of health, productivity and money would be averted in adulthood,'' Dr Misra said.

To further strengthen the noble cause of making India a healthy and growing nation, the DFI announced to adopt some financially disadvantaged diabetic children.

Having formally entered its 15th day, the month-long event 'PANKH Let's Fly High..' involves children older than 5 years and parents who are given lectures related to diet, exercise and lifestlye and participate in different forms of activities.

The programme will culminate on August 25 with day-long activities starting with 'Walk to prevent obesity, diabetes and lifestyle diseases' in which about 5000 participants from all walks of society will take part.

Those present on the occasion were Minister of Health and Social Welfare Dr Yoganand Shastri, former India Kabbadi Team Captain Ram Mehar Singh, former Indian Hockey team Captain Zafar Iqbal.

Also present were NGOs Ank and Smile and children from various private and government schools.

UNI