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From exercising regularly to consuming a healthy diet and getting proper sleep, there are quite a few ways for men to better their health.
News18
Lifestyle diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obesity, heart diseases, fatty liver disease and even some types of cancer are becoming the most common cause of illnesses and premature mortality in India. In contrast to infectious diseases, these diseases develop slowly and can be greatly affected by daily activities, environment and genes.
One of the largest groups of people suffering from diabetes live in India, and one out of three adult Indians suffer from hypertension. One of the biggest concern is that these diseases develop silently due to which many men miss early diagnosis when the treatment is most effective.
We speak to Dr Aravind Badiger, Technical Director, BDR Pharmaceuticals Internationals Pvt. Ltd., to understand what kind of lifestyle diseases are affecting Indian men and what can they do to control its influence.
What Makes Indian Men Vulnerable?
There are many reasons behind the emergence of this increasing health problem. Being sedentary, spending too much time watching screens, having an irregular diet, eating unhealthy foods, smoking, drinking too much alcohol and being under constant stress are some of the key characteristics.
Abdominal obesity is another problem that has developed among men; it causes metabolic abnormalities and raises the risk of developing metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases and insulin resistance. Lack of exercise and poor sleep only aggravate the situation.
Psychological state is also important as constant stress raises cortisol level and can cause weight gain, increased blood pressure and changes in glucose metabolism. However, the problem of mental health tends to be ignored when talking about men’s health problems.
Prevention Begins with Everyday Choices
The encouraging reality is that many lifestyle diseases are preventable or can be significantly delayed, with timely intervention.
Adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity every week, along with strength training on two or more days. A balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, pulses, lean proteins and healthy fats while limiting sugar, salt and ultra-processed foods can substantially lower disease risk.
Equally important are seven to eight hours of quality sleep, effective stress management through meditation or yoga, avoiding tobacco in all forms and limiting alcohol consumption.
Do Not Miss Your Routine Health Checkup
The common mistake that men often commit is neglecting their health until signs start to appear. Routine health checkups will help detect risk factors even before they become full-blown diseases.
Screening must include blood pressure check, blood glucose test, cholesterol levels check, BMI assessment, liver check, and waist measurement if needed. People who have a family history of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and/or cancer should undergo early and regular screening according to doctors’ advice.
One must never think of health as a luxury, which comes after falling ill. Spending time on preventive healthcare not only helps in reducing chances of developing any disease, but also in increasing productivity and being mentally healthy.
Since the number of non-communicable diseases in India keeps growing, it is important for men to realize that taking care of one’s health is achieved through small but consistent efforts in changing one’s lifestyle. Doing regular exercise, consuming a healthy diet, getting proper sleep and going for medical consultations can turn out to be the difference between having longer and healthier life.
The most common lifestyle diseases affecting Indian men include type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obesity, heart diseases, fatty liver disease, and certain cancers. These conditions are increasingly affecting younger men, with heart attacks occurring in men under 40.
About the Author
Abigail Banerji is a Senior Sub Editor with News18’s English desk. She brings 6 years of experience across both print and digital newsrooms, spanning editorial planning, reportage, copy editing, conte…Read More
