Four out of 10 Mumbaikars at high risk of heart diseases

CVD is affecting people with a laidback lifestyle, increases chance of fatality with high risk factors

First India Bureau

Mumbai: A World Health Organisation STEPS survey done by the Health department of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation

(BMC) reveals that four out of 10 adults in the city are at a higher risk of contracting cardio vascular disease (CVD).

The people reportedly had three or more risk factors namely regular smoking, no proper in take of fruits and vege tables, lesser physical activity, being over weight, and high BP and blood sugar levels.

Not living an active lifestyle is taking a toll on the people of Mum bai. CVD is affecting people with a laidback lifestyle and also increases

The WHO survey sesses individual health status

Risk factors are smoking, less intake of fruits & vegetables, less physical activity, extra weight, high BP & blood sugar levels and behaviours in a population. It helps countries, states, and cities build and strengthen data on risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCD).

Currently, data on these risk factors are available at the national level, but there is no data related to a specific city.

The BMC undertook the assessment for citylevel risk factors to help make informed datadriven policy changes and formulate effective strategies aligned with the city-specific data.

It partnered with WHO-India, and pro- vided support through STEPS. A total of 5,199 adults participated in survey—2,601 men and 2,598 women. Study reveals that around 37% of respondents (almost four out of 10 Mumbaikars) aged 18-69 years reported having three or more risk factors out of the six risk factors.

WHO recommends that eating at least 400 g or five portions/servings of fruits and vegetables per day reduces the risk of NCDs.