India has seen a disturbing rise in diabetes cases, with around 77 million adults over 18 affected, as per the World Health Organization. Additionally, about 25 million people are prediabetic. The surge, especially among young professionals, poses a unique challenge and contributes significantly to the global diabetes epidemic, driven by lifestyle factors and distinct challenges faced by individuals.
Some of the major factors that contribute towards triggering the disease include:
Sedentary lifestyle
The prevalent practice of extended periods of desk-bound work, attending prolonged meetings, and screen-centric tasks not only results in a lack of physical activity but also promotes unhealthy lifestyle choices. These behaviors can impact one's metabolism, potentially causing unhealthy weight gain, a known precursor to the onset of type 2 diabetes.
According to Dr. Advait Sharma, Chief Medical Officer at Truworth Wellness, individuals should integrate physical activity into their daily routine by taking short breaks for walks, using standing desks, or engaging in activities like walking or jogging before starting the day. He suggests opting for fresh fruits, nuts, or salads instead of processed snacks to avoid high-cholesterol options during work.
Stress level
Indians face elevated stress from prolonged work hours and tight deadlines, contributing to heightened stress levels. This not only impacts mental health but also raises diabetes risk by triggering the release of stress hormones like cortisol, affecting sugar metabolism. To cope, individuals can adopt stress management techniques such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises.
High level of sugar consumption
In India, prevalent dietary choices, such as traditional sweets, sugary beverages, and refined carbohydrates like white flour or white rice, significantly contribute to the diabetes epidemic. Corporate professionals often turn to these foods for quick energy during long work hours, resulting in daily high sugar intake. These habits weaken metabolism, causing excessive weight gain and impaired sugar metabolism.
To manage sugar consumption, individuals can substitute refined carbohydrates with whole grains like brown rice, whole wheat bread, and oats to stabilize blood sugar levels. Replacing high-sugar snacks, desserts, or beverages with fruits, nuts, or yogurt can also help limit sugar intake.
It's crucial to recognize the interconnected nature of high sugar consumption, stress levels, and a sedentary lifestyle as major triggering factors for diabetes. For instance, work-related stress can induce hormonal changes leading to sugar cravings, while a sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise contribute to unhealthy weight gain, elevating stress levels.
CONCLUSION
Recognizing that diabetes demands a comprehensive approach, focusing on all three components is crucial. Taking individual precautionary measures may not yield desired results unless a coordinated effort addresses every aspect of this issue.
By understanding the interconnection of factors and incorporating precautionary measures such as making healthy dietary choices and integrating exercise into daily routines, corporate professionals in India can cultivate healthier lifestyles, promoting high levels of productivity and efficiency.
Sources- The Times Of India
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