'Traditional Indian food checks obesity'

He was speaking at the Anti-Obesity Day, organised at VLCC centre here on Sunday. The obesity was dependent more on lifestyle rather genetic. It is important to shed the sedentary lifestyle to keep obesity, diabetic problems at bay.

The Indian traditional food like wheat, greens and vegetables helps maintain low fat. In United States, every other person was obese. However, obese are very less in number in India because of traditional food culture of India.

He asked the participants to stick to Indian food to maintain a good health and added that even the western countries was looking for Europe and countries like India to follow staple food.

Earlier, Dr Salimath, another scientist with CFTRI inaugurated the Anti-Obesity Day. He also called upon the participants to develop a good food habit rich in legumes. There are extensive research happening on increasing or adding nutritional value to food, he said.

On the occasion, a competition on cooking without fire was organised for women. Children also took part in fancy dress competition in fruits and vegetables concept. Nandini Murthy, Head of VLCC, Mysore, Dr Ajitha and others were present.