Over 46% of the office goers in Kohima were found to be overweight or obese, according to the department of health and family welfare (H&FW).
Speaking on the occasion of the World Heart Day (WHD) 2016, observed at Directorate of School Education, organized by the department of H&FW, on Thursday, the H&FW additional director, Dr. Lima Akum, said during the World Heart Day 2015 screening camp at secretariat complex and department of H&FW, it was found that 46% of office goers in Kohima were found overweight or obese, the main cause for heart disease.
Stressing on the theme “Power Your Life”, he said the theme seeks to make people understand what they could do to fuel their heart. Dr. Akum said it was also found that in Nagaland 57% were tobacco users, 40% Alcohol consumption (men), 36% hypertension and 11.6 % suspected diabetes.
In the context of India as a whole, he said cardiovascular diseases (coronary heart disease, stroke and hypertension) contribute to 45 % of all non communicable deaths and out of every 1000 Indians, 159 have hypertensions and 37% have heart disease.
Dr. Akum pointed out was that at least 80% of the premature deaths (because of cardiovascular diseases) could be protected by controlling the four risk factors — unhealthy diet, tobacco use, lack of physical activities and use of alcohol.
Also, speaking on the theme, H&FW medical officer, Dr. Aomeren Longkumer, said heart disease and stroke were the world’s leading cause of death claiming 17.3 million lives each year.
He said physical inactivity could contribute significantly to heart diseases as it could lead to unhealthy weight gain, diabetes and increased blood pressure.
Dr. Longkumer stated that 30 minutes of moderate intensive activities five times a week could help prevent heart attack and stroke. He also advised people to avoid processed and pre-packaged foods, reduce sugar beverages and fruit juice.
The WHD observance programme was chaired by DoSE asst. Director, Chumpa, while assistant director Y. Khetoshe Yepthomi delivered greetings. Joint director school education (current incharge of HoD) Lienkhao Chongloi proposed vote of thanks.
The programme was attended by officers and staffs of the department, which was followed by free health check-up.
World Heart Day, an annual event which takes place on 29 September every year, was founded in 2000 to inform people around the globe that heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading causes of death, claiming 17.3 million lives each year and by 2030 this is expected to rise to 23 million.