In Indian Women occurrence of Type 2- Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension and Heart disease is displaying a progressively upward trend. Genetic predisposition, inherent ethnicity, obesity, rapid urbanization, high intake of fast foods, smoking and lack of exercise contribute to this rise.

“Out of  all these factors,smoking and obesity are the major modifiable risk factors for prevention and control of these lifestyle diseases,” says Dr. Kiran Rukadikar, Bariatric Physician and Obesity Consultant.

He further added, “Obesity is an independent risk for the development of heart disease in women. Obesity has been strongly associated in women with three major risk factors for heart disease. Type 2 diabetes, hypercholesterolemia (or rather atherogenic dyslipidemia) and hypertension. Although obese premenopausal women tend to have ‘gynecoid’ or gluteo femoral fat distribution (Pear shaped obesity), menopause has been found to promote the development of android or male pattern or Apple shaped obesity.”

According to Dr. Rukadikar, central obesity (waist circumference more than 80cm for Indian females) is associated strongly with these lifestyle diseases. “Diabetes is the single, most powerful risk factor for heart disease (CAD-coronary Artery disease) in women. Women with diabetes have a fivefold increase in cardio Vascular disease that in women without diabetes. Diabetes cancels the females hormonal (estrogen and progesterone) advantage over males. The higher risk among diabetic women may be partially explained by the ‘clustering’ of multiple factors in diabetic individuals, such as hypertension, smoking and obesity. Even 15-20 percent of weight loss can help in reversing these diseases. Good healthy low calorie but balanced diet will help in achieving this. Stopping all the fried foods, sweets, high calorie dry fruits and nuts, high fat milk products will make a huge difference. Eating cereals, pulses, vegetables, fruits, salads, skimmed milk products will be a healthier option. To decide the quantity; height, age and physical activities should be taken into consideration. Exercising for these patients won’t be advisable ; walking would be sufficient for fat reduction. Smoking; if at all should be stopped completely.”

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