D
Dr. Jai Maharaj
Guest
Junk food: Quick route to diabetes
Calories from junk food when not burned lead to a state of being overweight or even obese. And
the net result is the environment abetting the genes leading to an onset of diabetes even at an
early age.
By R. Prasad Recently in Paris The Hindu Friday, September 5, 2003
COKE AND PEPSI were in the news recently for the high pesticide content in their carbonated
drinks. What followed was a large scale shunning of the drinks by the awakened public. The `clean
chit' given by the government and the short memory of the consumers got the latter taking to these
drinks again.
Now take a guess why the consumers in the U.S. and other developed countries where coke meets
the stringent pesticide standards are urged to stay clear from it. And it is not just colas
but fast foods in general that have come under fire. The reason — cocacolisation and fat rich
food have created a health havoc. Carbonated drinks and fast food provide the body with high
levels of calories. With no chance for burning these calories what results are overweight and
obese individuals. Obesity is the root cause for many illnesses, including diabetes and high
blood pressure.
For instance, nearly 44 million Americans have become obese reflecting an increase of 74 per cent
since 1991. People tend to eat more than what is required, eat food rich in calories and finally
burn less of calories through a sedentary lifestyle. Although statistics are not available for
India, an increasing trend in the rising number of obese people is seen. And the reasons are not
difficult to discern.
Increasing patronage of fast food joints and addiction to carbonated drinks are squarely to be
blamed. Calories from these when not burned leads to a state of being overweight or even obese. And
the net result is the environment abetting the genes leading to an onset of diabetes even at an
early age. Genes have not changed in the last few decades. Onset of type-II diabetes in children of
tender age can be only be ascribed to changes in the environment (lifestyle). Age at which obesity
sets in is seeing a steady decline with children as young as six years in the U.S becoming obese.
Obesity, cocacolisation, sedentary lifestyle and the resultant dangers of diabetes were some of the
topics widely discussed at the recently concluded International Diabetic Federation (IDF) 2003 held
in Paris. While the problem has reached an alarming state in the developed countries, the developing
countries are fast catching up. What with fast food joints selling pizzas and burgers mushrooming,
overweight and obesity are increasingly seen amongst Indians.
Even when people cannot be categorized as overweight or obese, the ubiquitous potbelly seen in males
is proving to be more insidious. The visceral fat seen in the abdominal cavity and around many
organs inside the abdomen releases fatty acids when not required by the body. Excessive exposure of
tissues to fatty acids impairs their insulin sensitivity. This is turn increases the blood insulin
level. The vicious cycle continues till reduced insulin sensitivity by the tissues results. Insulin
resistance is one of the reasons for developing diabetes even when the amount of insulin produced by
beta cells is normal.
The good news is that 30-60 per cent chance of preventing the onset of diabetes can be brought about
by change in food habits and exercise like brisk walking. Even when already a diabetic, changing
lifestyles can help keep diabetes under control. Little wonder that the World Health Organisation
has accorded top priority to lifestyle changes and obesity prevention. The fact that special
sessions and nearly four per cent of paper presentations at IDF were devoted to prevention of
diabetes through changed lifestyle reflects its importance.
The onus of obesity prevention and its associated problems does not rest with the individuals alone.
Scientists, physicians, government, media, food industry and society at large have a role to play.
The role of insurance industry in turning the tide cannot be ignored. Countries like the U.S., U.K,
France, to name a few, have put in place programmes to fight obesity. The sudden realisation of
their responsibility by these governments has more to do with the (cost) burden of treating
diabetics.
There is no reason why the Indian Government should not be more proactive. The burden of treating
diabetics weighs heavy on the Government as it is no longer a disease of the elite. In the case of
poor, the right milieu for diabetes to strike arises when the rural populace moves to urban areas
bringing about a change in lifestyle and eating habits.
It took more than 30 years of sustained effort to build awareness of the ills of tobacco. Should we
wait for yet another 30 years before people become aware of the need to prevent obesity and keep
diabetes and other associated diseases at bay?
- R. Prasad
Read the complete news at: http://www.hinduonnet.com
News Plus http://www.mantra.com/newsplus
Jai Maharaj http://www.mantra.com/jai Om Shanti
Panchaang for 14 Bhadrapad 5104, Tuesday, September 9, 2003:
Shubhanu Nama Samvatsare Dakshinaya Jivana Ritau Singh Mase Shukl Pakshe Mangal Vasara Yuktayam
Shatabhish Nakshatr Sukarm-Dhriti Yog Vanij-Vishti Karan Chaturdashi-Poornima Yam Tithau
Hindu Holocaust Museum http://www.mantra.com/holocaust
Hindu life, principles, spirituality and philosophy http://www.hindu.org http://www.hindunet.org
The truth about Islam and Muslims http://www.flex.com/~jai/satyamevajayate
o Not for commercial use. Solely to be fairly used for the educational purposes of research and
open discussion. The contents of this post may not have been authored by, and do not
necessarily represent the opinion of the poster. The contents are protected by copyright law
and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works. o If you send private e-mail to me, it
will likely not be read, considered or answered if it does not contain your full legal name,
current e-mail and postal addresses, and live-voice telephone number. o Posted for information
and discussion. Views expressed by others are not necessarily those of the poster.
Calories from junk food when not burned lead to a state of being overweight or even obese. And
the net result is the environment abetting the genes leading to an onset of diabetes even at an
early age.
By R. Prasad Recently in Paris The Hindu Friday, September 5, 2003
COKE AND PEPSI were in the news recently for the high pesticide content in their carbonated
drinks. What followed was a large scale shunning of the drinks by the awakened public. The `clean
chit' given by the government and the short memory of the consumers got the latter taking to these
drinks again.
Now take a guess why the consumers in the U.S. and other developed countries where coke meets
the stringent pesticide standards are urged to stay clear from it. And it is not just colas
but fast foods in general that have come under fire. The reason — cocacolisation and fat rich
food have created a health havoc. Carbonated drinks and fast food provide the body with high
levels of calories. With no chance for burning these calories what results are overweight and
obese individuals. Obesity is the root cause for many illnesses, including diabetes and high
blood pressure.
For instance, nearly 44 million Americans have become obese reflecting an increase of 74 per cent
since 1991. People tend to eat more than what is required, eat food rich in calories and finally
burn less of calories through a sedentary lifestyle. Although statistics are not available for
India, an increasing trend in the rising number of obese people is seen. And the reasons are not
difficult to discern.
Increasing patronage of fast food joints and addiction to carbonated drinks are squarely to be
blamed. Calories from these when not burned leads to a state of being overweight or even obese. And
the net result is the environment abetting the genes leading to an onset of diabetes even at an
early age. Genes have not changed in the last few decades. Onset of type-II diabetes in children of
tender age can be only be ascribed to changes in the environment (lifestyle). Age at which obesity
sets in is seeing a steady decline with children as young as six years in the U.S becoming obese.
Obesity, cocacolisation, sedentary lifestyle and the resultant dangers of diabetes were some of the
topics widely discussed at the recently concluded International Diabetic Federation (IDF) 2003 held
in Paris. While the problem has reached an alarming state in the developed countries, the developing
countries are fast catching up. What with fast food joints selling pizzas and burgers mushrooming,
overweight and obesity are increasingly seen amongst Indians.
Even when people cannot be categorized as overweight or obese, the ubiquitous potbelly seen in males
is proving to be more insidious. The visceral fat seen in the abdominal cavity and around many
organs inside the abdomen releases fatty acids when not required by the body. Excessive exposure of
tissues to fatty acids impairs their insulin sensitivity. This is turn increases the blood insulin
level. The vicious cycle continues till reduced insulin sensitivity by the tissues results. Insulin
resistance is one of the reasons for developing diabetes even when the amount of insulin produced by
beta cells is normal.
The good news is that 30-60 per cent chance of preventing the onset of diabetes can be brought about
by change in food habits and exercise like brisk walking. Even when already a diabetic, changing
lifestyles can help keep diabetes under control. Little wonder that the World Health Organisation
has accorded top priority to lifestyle changes and obesity prevention. The fact that special
sessions and nearly four per cent of paper presentations at IDF were devoted to prevention of
diabetes through changed lifestyle reflects its importance.
The onus of obesity prevention and its associated problems does not rest with the individuals alone.
Scientists, physicians, government, media, food industry and society at large have a role to play.
The role of insurance industry in turning the tide cannot be ignored. Countries like the U.S., U.K,
France, to name a few, have put in place programmes to fight obesity. The sudden realisation of
their responsibility by these governments has more to do with the (cost) burden of treating
diabetics.
There is no reason why the Indian Government should not be more proactive. The burden of treating
diabetics weighs heavy on the Government as it is no longer a disease of the elite. In the case of
poor, the right milieu for diabetes to strike arises when the rural populace moves to urban areas
bringing about a change in lifestyle and eating habits.
It took more than 30 years of sustained effort to build awareness of the ills of tobacco. Should we
wait for yet another 30 years before people become aware of the need to prevent obesity and keep
diabetes and other associated diseases at bay?
- R. Prasad
Read the complete news at: http://www.hinduonnet.com
News Plus http://www.mantra.com/newsplus
Jai Maharaj http://www.mantra.com/jai Om Shanti
Panchaang for 14 Bhadrapad 5104, Tuesday, September 9, 2003:
Shubhanu Nama Samvatsare Dakshinaya Jivana Ritau Singh Mase Shukl Pakshe Mangal Vasara Yuktayam
Shatabhish Nakshatr Sukarm-Dhriti Yog Vanij-Vishti Karan Chaturdashi-Poornima Yam Tithau
Hindu Holocaust Museum http://www.mantra.com/holocaust
Hindu life, principles, spirituality and philosophy http://www.hindu.org http://www.hindunet.org
The truth about Islam and Muslims http://www.flex.com/~jai/satyamevajayate
o Not for commercial use. Solely to be fairly used for the educational purposes of research and
open discussion. The contents of this post may not have been authored by, and do not
necessarily represent the opinion of the poster. The contents are protected by copyright law
and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works. o If you send private e-mail to me, it
will likely not be read, considered or answered if it does not contain your full legal name,
current e-mail and postal addresses, and live-voice telephone number. o Posted for information
and discussion. Views expressed by others are not necessarily those of the poster.