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Mumbai, September 26, 2013: The Saffola life Study 2013*, India’s largest study on risk factors precipitating heart disease, revealed that more than 70% of 1.86 lakh^^ urban Indian respondents are at cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. When the study was conducted among 29,017^ Mumbai respondents over a period of three years, it was revealed that 72% of them had a high risk of contracting cardiovascular disease (CVD). The study also revealed that 51% of respondents in Mumbai had low levels of the heart protective HDL and 44% reported to be consuming preserved/processed foods at least two times a week. Supporting the Saffola life study, Dr. Akshay Mehta, Senior Cardiologist, Asian Heart Hospital, said, “Sedentary lifestyle, stressful work conditions and compromised diet are leading factors in precipitating heart disease risk. This has affected the heart health of the young work force in the 30 – 44 age group.” According to the Saffola life study ; Mumbai was one of the cities with least number of respondents with diabetes at 12% as compared to other metros. The study revealed that 42% of the Mumbai respondents also reported to consume fried foods at least two times in a week. Additionally, 71% of them were guilty of consuming two or less servings of fibre rich whole grains in their diet. When the physical activity of Mumbai participants was analyzed, it emerged that a substantial 64% of them exercised thrice a week or less. 10% of the participants reported feeling drained four times a week or more. Young Productive Work force (30-44 years) is the worst hit The Saffola life study* is being conducted from the past three years across 12 cities and covering more than 1.86 lakhs people across 30-100 age group. The study revealed a shocking large difference between the heart age** and the chronological age beginning at 30 years with a noticeable peak observed in the 40’s. This meant that Young India’s heart is aging much faster. Due to the presence of maximum systemic and lifestyle risk factors, respondents in the 30–44 age group showed heightened CVD risk. To understand the trend/ changes we have analyzed the data for the year 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and the combined data for all the three years here. Some key findings of the Saffola life Study: – The trend study has observed that for nearly all parameters that count as risk factors for CVD, the younger age group is sharing the same levels of CVD risk as the older age group. – 73% males in the age group of 30-34 years and 76% in 35-39 age group are at CVD risk and 85% of males in the age group of 40 – 44 years are at risk. – Around 60% of females in their 30’s and 40’s are shown to be at high risk. – Among the people with CVD risks, 66% of women showed a higher risk of CVD due to the presence of low HDL levels as compared to 50% men. – Among the people with CVD risks, 73% of the women exercise three times a week or less as compared to 63% males. – High risk cholesterol levels, skewed BMIs, low levels of cardio-protective HDL cholesterol and high blood pressure are some of the factors contributing to increased CVD risk among India’s productive workforce (Age group: 30– 44). – An alarming peak is observed post 35 in females having heart age greater than actual age. – Among the people who felt drained more than 4 times in a week 51% belong to the age group of 30-44 years Lifestyle factors have also contributed to increase in CVD risk that includes increase in consumption of fried and processed foods. Among the people who consume processed foods 61% belong to the 30-44 age group while. Among the people who consume fried foods 63% belong to the 30-44 age group. Supporting the findings of the Saffola life Study , Ms. Niti Desai, Independent Health, Wellness and Fitness Professional, stated, “Diet has undergone major changes depending on convenience. Preference for processed and preserved foods and fried foods has gone up noticeably. High dependence on the same and a menu devoid of vegetables, fruits and whole grains will only make people more vulnerable to CVD.” Comparative Findings 1. BMI – 54% of Delhi and Chandigarh respondents were obese. Hyderabad and Chennai follow closely with 52% and 51% respondents respectively. 2. Total Cholesterol – 6% of Delhi and Chandigarh respondents were found to have high total cholesterol levels whereas Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Mumbai and Pune were reported to have 5% respondents each with high total cholesterol levels (241 – 400mg/dl). 3. HDL levels – Ahmedabad with 54% respondents having low levels of HDL cholesterol is the leading city followed by 51% from Mumbai and Hyderabad and 48% from Bangalore. 4. Diabetes – Chennai is the diabetes capital with 18% Chennaites suffering from the condition. Hyderabad closely followed with 17%, Kolkata with 15% and Bangalore with 15%. Mumbai, Pune and Chandigarh have the least proportion of participants with diabetes when compared to other metros at 12%. 5. Preserved/processed food consumption - Delhi NCR has the highest intake of preserved/processed foods per week with 45% consuming the same followed by 44% from Mumbai and 43% from Bangalore at least twice a week. 6. Fried food consumption – Delhi NCR emerged as the fried food capital with 49% of the respondents admitting to enjoy fried foods at least 2 times in a week, Chandigarh follows with 45% of respondents consuming fried foods at least twice a week. Mumbai, Pune and Kolkata reported 42%, 38% and 40% respectively. 7. Vegetable/Salad Consumption – 58% respondents from Ahmedabad consume the least servings of vegetable and salads followed by 56% respondents from Hyderabad, 54% from Chennai and 50% from Mumbai. 8. Fruit consumption – 47% of respondents from Ahmedabad consume least variety of fruits in a day. This was followed by 38% from Hyderabad and 37% from Kolkata. 9. Whole grain consumption – Chennai leads the pack with 78% of the participants consuming least variety of whole grains in the diet. Ahmedabad (77%), Hyderabad (76%) and Kolkata (74%) closely follow. 10. Physical activity – Ahmedabad with 70% of respondents lag behind in being physically active with respondents exercising three times a week or less. Other cities like Hyderabad, Kolkata and Chennai follow with 68%, 66% and 65% respectively. Pune and Bangalore respondents seem to be the most physically active compared to other metros with 41% and 39% exercising at least four times a week or more. 11. Feeling drained – 11% respondents in Kolkata feel drained more frequently in a week followed by 10% in Chandigarh, Delhi NCR and Mumbai. ** The heart age of participants was calculated, based on their response in a specially created questionnaire taking into account their health, food habits, lifestyle and physical activity among various other factors. About Saffola life Study: Saffolalife™ is a not-for-profit initiative started by Marico around 14 years ago. The objective of the study is to spread awareness of the risk of heart ailments in India, and hence bring down the deaths caused due to Cardio-vascular diseases. Every year, the Saffola life Study, one of the largest with a sample size of over a lakh Indians analyses and offers a deeper understanding into the reasons behind the ailing heart health of Indians. Saffolalife™ has within its fold various initiatives which include the Healing Hearts Program, World Heart Day, Dial a Dietician, Ask an Expert, Heart Age Finder and the Saffolalife™ Study. In the past it has carried out over 88,000 free cholesterol tests across the country.
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