Walk, pedal, use stairs to stay physically active: Experts

NAGPUR: A recent WHO study claimed that 1.4 billion people worldwide are physically inactive. This study, published in the Lancet Global Health, further pointed out that among all countries in south Asia, prevalence of physical inactivity is the highest in India. This extends to nearly 43% of all women.
Regular physical inactivity increases risk of poor health, including cardiovascular diseases, several types of cancer and diabetes, as well as mental health conditions, said the study.According to experts, Nagpurians are quite physically inactive and there are several reasons why corrective steps are needed.
Cardiothoracic surgeon at Wockhardt hospital Jayaprasanna KG said that among all patients who come to him, 90% are physically inactive. “Most patients come to us when they have already developed hypertension and diabetes. Thirty per cent of them are young people with blockages in heart. Lack of exercise, sedentary life, hypertension and diet habits among others are factors behind heart diseases,” he said.
The doctor added that many Nagpurians lack awareness about importance of physical fitness, however, many youths have now started focusing on health.
“In Nagpur, the distance from place to another place is not much. Unlike cities such as Mumbai, we take our two-wheelers even if we want to buy only groceries. This is true for both youngsters and middle-aged persons,” says Dr Umanjali Damke, principal and professor, physiotherapy school and centre, GMCH.
Pointing out other issues, the doctor added that most children travel by bus to school while not many are seen cycling. “Children have lots of homework and no time to play. Also, many citizens consume gutkha and smoke,” said Dr Damke.
Emphasizing on walking, the doctor said that a person in the age group of 30-50 years should walk until achieving 60-70% of his/her maximum heart rate. Apps and pulse oximeters can help achieve this.
“Once physical activity stops, the mental alertness also lessens, blood flow also decreases,” the doctor said and added that this can also lead to stroke, paralysis and memory loss. “When it comes to women, they are more able to deal with menopause if they are physically active,” the doctor said.
Awareness has increased among young adults in the past two-three years, said senior diabetologist Dr Shailesh Pitale, but he maintains that it must spread from home to school and then society. “Inactive people are more prone to become obese, and obesity is a pre-diabetic condition. Look for an opportunity to remain active. For example, take stairs instead of an elevator,” he said.