'Less oil, more physical activity, balanced meal key to fight obesity'

Reducing the amount of oil intake while increasing physical activity as well as eating a balanced meal are crucial to fight the rising menace of obesity in our country said experts on TuesdayThis comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday in his Mann ki Baat programme nominated 10 personalities to push the campaign against obesity in the country as part of his Fit India initiativeDr Naval Vikram professor of Medicine at AIIMS New Delhi said its high time to consider obesity very seriously as its prevalence is increasing rapidly across the age groups and across the socioeconomic status in the countryObesity is no longer a cosmetic problem It now is a chronic persistent disease which leads to several other noncommunicable diseases like diabetes hypertension and heart disease as well as several cancers It is a lifestyle disease and it is 100 per cent preventableHe also lauded PM Modi for highlighting the problem of obesity and the importance of preventing itWhile lifestyle is the most important factor in preventing and managing obesity diet also plays a very critical role Individuals must try to avoid foods which are rich in high fat high sugar and high salt generally very high in most processed foods said VikramEat a wellbalanced diet and preferably a homecooked meal the expert saidMeanwhile the Prime Minister also urged people to cut down the consumption of oil by 10 per centIt is an important step in preventing as well as managing obesity Vikram saidDr Anoop Misra chairman and director Diabetes and Endocrinology Fortis CDOC Hospital New Delhi told IANS that oils contain twice the calories of carbs and proteinWith rising obesity rates it is important to limit oil intake to 1520 ml per day he addedOils rich in monounsaturated fatty acids MUFA and polyunsaturated fatty acids PUFA help lower bad cholesterol and support heart health Mustard oil remains the best choice considering cost and health benefits the doctor said while recommending against saturated fats to reduce the risk of liver disease heart attacks and strokesThe experts noted that reducing oil intake will create a calorie deficit a key factor for losing or maintaining body weightOther measures to fight obesity include preferring homecooked meals with regionally and seasonally available food itemsAvoid junk foods ultraprocessed foods sugars and sugary beverages high fat and fried foods he saidReduce food portion size eat mindfully reduce screen time and increase physical activity the experts saidA wellbalanced diverse diet and adequate physical activity of at least 30 minutes should be regularly done by all individuals to fight obesity Dr Parmeet Kaur chief dietician Department of Dietetics AIIMS New Delhi told IANSBe active in your daily life Try to incorporate activity whatever you do in your daily life even if you have a desk job or a sitting job try to move out Try to move after about an hour or an hour and a half and take a short break Walk around for 10 to 15 minutes Get some activity and do try to incorporate about half an hour or 45 minutes to one hour time which is dedicated to exercise Vikram saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever