CHENNAI: Yet another survey has put modern lifestyles in the dock for setting the stage for a host of diseases.

The survey, which was conducted across five cities by diagnostics provider Metropolis Health Services, revealed that 31.5 per cent of women (169) and 27 per cent of men (199) in the study group had high cholesterol levels. The study was conducted on 535 women and 735 men across Chennai, New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Kochi.

The study revealed that 30.5 per cent of the women and 25.17 per cent of the men had low haemoglobin levels making them more susceptible to major illnesses. Blood helps in the proper metabolism of the body by supplying oxygen to the heart. With haemoglobin deficiency, the heart receives less oxygen making it work that much harder and causing it more strain.

Vitamin D3 is an important constituent of calcium metabolism and is particularly beneficial for menopausal women who are often subject to fractures due to loss of bone density. This vitamin was found deficient in 2.8 per cent of the women.

The survey discerned a high incidence of fasting blood glucose levels. Among those surveyed, 86 women (16.7%) and 212 men (28.8%) were reported to have high fasting blood glucose levels.

Though they may not yet be diabetic, the risks are high.

According to a CII-Mckinsey & Company countrywide study of 2002, infectious diseases will take a back seat and lifestyle diseases will form the major chunk of illnesses in India. With growing per capita income and new lifestyles Indians will be spending more on treatment of lifestyle diseases. Lifestyle diseases like heart ailments, asthma, cancer, nervous and circulatory disorders, diabetes, hypertension and obesity are fairly widespread in the urban community.

Heart disease is the leading cause of deaths in India. The World Health Organisation predicts that by 2010 India will have 100 million patients with heart ailments.

The Metropolis survey's take home message is that by taking a proactive approach to health care, one can prevent illnesses. Practising preventive care facilitates treating illnesses when they may be curable.

Regular health check ups help in health assessment and provides an opportunity to take corrective action in lifestyle behaviours such as eating and exercise habits. Check-ups and screenings become important as one grows older.

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