Heart problem due to obesity up by 3 pc in semi-urban pockets: Study

Long working hours, lack of exercise reasons for obesity

 At least 14 per cent people in Bengaluru risk being obese, according to the findings of a nation-wide study conducted by Indus Health Plus, a preventive health check-up company

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The study was conducted on 13,850 people from across various states in the country between January and October 2015. It was found that 25 to 30 per cent of the population from Bengaluru, between the age of 35 and 45 years, complained of joint pain, lethargy and tiredness.

This apart, five to seven per cent of obese women belonging to the working population suffered from joint pain. In a note, the company said that a trend has been observed in the last two years where cases of heart problem due to obesity in the semi-urban pockets had increased by three per cent.

This was mostly observed in the age groups of 25-35 years.

Desk job and lack of exercise had contributed towards obesity among men in Bengaluru, the study reveals. About 30 per cent were obese due to high intake of trans fat, prolonged sitting jobs and junk food.

Out of 10 people who were considered for the study, four were overweight or obese and 15 per cent of them belonged to the younger working population.

Amol Naikawadi, Preventive Healthcare Specialist, Indus Health Plus, said, “There is sharp decline in physical activities among population residing in Bengaluru which doubles the risk of obesity. Trends have shown men are prone to increased waist circumference which increases co morbid diseases like hypertension, diabetes and stroke.”