The Hindu Business Line : Fat or fit

Women executives are at greater risk of obesity. In between juggling the pressures of a demanding job and home responsibilities, most women find little time for themselves.

Employees of the Bombay Stock Exchange working out at the gymnasium in the building.

When Rita Ralhan saw her husband sleeping peacefully, she didn't have the heart to wake him up. It had been a stressful week at work for Ranjit, a senior executive with a leading multinational corporation in Delhi. That's why she hadn't stopped him from partying at the New Year eve celebrations the previous night. But since he had promised to join her for morning walks as part of his New Year resolution, she called out to him. When he didn't respond after repeated calls, she panicked and called the doctor. But it was too late. Ranjit had suffered a massive heart attack during the night and died in his sleep.

Ranjit was only 45 years old. Although he was overweight, he had never complained of any heart problems. So why did this happen to him? "One of the many risks associated with excess body weight is heart attack. People think it won't happen to them and are unable to clearly recognise the quantum of risk of being overweight," says Dr K. Srinath Reddy, cardiologist, All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS).

What is worrying is that over the past three decades, the prevalence of heart diseases has grown from four to 33 per cent. It is no coincidence that the proportion of people with excess body weight has also increased. It is not hard to see why more people, especially executives, are becoming overweight. Modern living and sedentary lifestyles have led to an increase in the body mass index (BMI). In simple terms, when the weight of a person is more than it should be in relation to his height, his BMI is high. This is calculated by dividing weight by height. For example, if you weigh 120 pounds and your height is 5 ft, your BMI is 24, a little higher than the permissible 23.

Experts link the increase in obesity to poor diet, little exercise and too many hours spent before the computer and television. Nutritionist and weight management consultant Dr Shikha Sharma contends that executives tend to fall in the high-risk category because of the sedentary nature of their job. "Weight is not a disease. It is an accumulation of stress, emotional pressures and wrong diet. If this is changed, weight can be controlled," says Dr Shikha.

Women executives are perhaps at greater risk since they always put the family before themselves. Sangeeta Anand, an education consultant with the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), knows she is heading towards trouble. In between juggling the pressures of a demanding job and her responsibilities as a single parent of two young boys, she is unable to find time for herself. "I wake up at 3.30 a.m. to cook and all three of us are out of the house by 7.30 a.m. I return home around 8.30 p.m. By then, I'm too tired to think of exercise. Yes, I am trying to walk in the morning, but that may not be enough," says Sangeeta.

Dr Reddy says AIIMS studies have shown that when the average BMI in middle-aged adults increases beyond 23, the diabetes rates increase four fold, hypertension rates rise three fold and heart attack rates two fold. "Indians are also prone to central obesity or increased fat deposition around the abdomen. Several epidemiological studies have shown that central obesity or pot belly leads to a significant increase in risk of diabetes, heart attack and high blood pressure."

Experts contend that since obesity is linked more to unhealthy diet, lack of physical exercise than genetic factors, it presents an opportunity for prevention and reversal. But many executives, who are strapped for time, want an easier way to lose weight. This demand gave birth to weight-loss clinics that have mushroomed in all major cities.

"Weight-loss clinics are a fad. There is no data on these so-called weight-loss machines, which validates their claims. They are not even certified. Instead of going in for such weight-loss packages, following a nutritious diet will definitely be more beneficial," says Dr Shikha.

So what's the right diet? There have been several cases of anorexia among young women executives whose job profiles demand they should be slim and beautiful. Dr Shikha says such women don't realise that just eating popcorn and drinking diet Coke may do them more harm than good. Along with a group of doctors she has set up the Nutrition Fitness Society to promote a healthy and nutritious lifestyle.

What constitutes a healthy diet has been the subject of many a controversy. The Atkins Diet, which advocates high intake of fat and proteins and a low intake of carbohydrates, is very popular in the US. It has gained in popularity in India too primarily because of the weight loss claims. But Dr Reddy says that while short-term weight losses do occur, there is no evidence to prove long-term weight loss or that it does not have adverse side effects on the heart.

Experts recommend a brisk 30-minute walk once a day or a 10-minute walk thrice a day. Using the stairs instead of the elevator, doing household chores such as mopping, washing clothes and gardening, can do wonders. Replacing starchy food such as noodles with green vegetables, fish and chicken and multi-grain bread are healthy options.

Many organisations like Nestle, National Thermal Power Corporation, CII and media organisations like Star TV and the India Today group have invited experts to hold workshops to spread awareness and promote health education among their executives. But unless awareness and knowledge are accompanied bymotivation, there will be more people who are fat rather than fit.

Picture by Shashi Ashiwal

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