A major public health lecture held at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI) in Chandigarh on Saturday sounded the alarm on the growing crisis of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The event, titled "Stop the Attack Before It Strikes," attracted over 100 participants and focused on the urgent need for public awareness and proactive health measures.
Obesity and Diabetes: A Dangerous Duo
Prof Ashu Rastogi from PGI's Department of Endocrinology delivered a stark warning. He stated that obesity and diabetes are no longer just lifestyle problems but the primary drivers of heart disease. He highlighted a surprising indicator of risk: an increase in waist circumference of just 2 centimetres over a decade signals significant danger for diabetes, heart issues, and other metabolic diseases.
Prof Rastogi urged the public to take immediate and proactive steps to improve their lifestyles, emphasizing that avoiding obesity is the most powerful strategy to prevent both heart disease and diabetes. He presented compelling data to illustrate the deep connection between these conditions.
50% of people with diabetes also have heart problems, and a staggering 80% of heart patients struggle with obesity. This data proves the two diseases often progress together. He further revealed that 41% of women and 37% of men in India are suffering from obesity, while 15% of the total population is diabetic (16% of women and 14% of men).
Shocking Screening Results from PGI Clinic
The scale of the hidden NCD epidemic was made clear by data from PGI's own Preventive Clinic. Out of 430 people screened, the results were alarming.
- 22% of participants were newly detected with hypertension and were completely unaware of their condition.
- An additional 8% received a new diagnosis of diabetes.
- Perhaps most strikingly, nearly 330 out of the 430 individuals screened were found to be obese, underscoring a community-wide need for immediate lifestyle corrections.
A Call for Immediate Action and Awareness
Prof. Neelam Dahiya from the Department of Cardiology stressed the critical importance of recognizing cardiac emergencies like heart attacks and seeking immediate medical treatment. She also pointed out a concerning trend: many individuals who were aware of their hypertension were found to have uncontrolled blood pressure, placing them at a very high risk for serious health complications.
The lecture served as a crucial wake-up call for the community, highlighting that silent, undiagnosed diseases are a pervasive threat that demands immediate attention through better nutrition, increased physical activity, and regular health check-ups.
