Bengaluru: Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) account for 66 per cent of all mortality in India, presenting a serious health challenge. Unlike in developed western countries, where NCDs generally manifest later in life, India is seeing these diseases affecting younger individuals.
Alarmingly, two-thirds of Indians with NCDs are between the ages of 26 and 59, the most productive years of their lives. Unhealthy dietary choices and lifestyle habits are major contributors. An ICMR NIN study highlights that 56 percent of the disease burden in the country is linked to unhealthy diets. This trend not only threatens individual health but also poses significant challenges to the nation’s economic and social structure.
Given the growing concern over NCDs in India, the Physicians Association for Nutrition India (PAN India), in collaboration with the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Bengaluru and the accreditation of KMC (Karnataka Medical Council), conducted its 30th Continuing Medical Education (CME) seminar for doctors in Bengaluru. The seminar emphasised the importance of Evidence-Based Nutrition (EBN) interventions in clinical practices to prevent and treat NCDs in the country.
Discussions emphasised the importance of addressing the root causes of NCDs, such as poor dietary habits, and highlighted the role of plant-based and balanced diets in managing these conditions.
Addressing the audience, Dr. Hemalatha R, ex-Director of ICMR-NIN, said, “More than 50 percent of the population suffers from diet-related disorders, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and fatty liver. Unhealthy diets account for over 56 per cent of the country’s disease burden, and the impact begins as early as fetal development. Pregnant women consuming processed foods and sugars risk their children’s cognitive health. This underscores the urgent need to shift towards balanced diets rich in pulses, legumes, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits, aligning with global recommendations to combat this alarming unhealthy diet.”Dr. Rajeena Shahin, Medical Director, PAN India, emphasised the need for a healthcare model focused on nutrition and lifestyle changes to prevent diseases and improve public health. Panel discussions explored topics such as nutrition in obesity, metabolic diseases, infertility, and cardiovascular health.
Experts also debunked common myths about nutrition and shared strategies for integrating dietary interventions into patient care.
