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`Appoint nutritionists in all schools to guide children, parents'

Staff Reporter

Picnics on weekends, playing with kids a good exercise: Diabetes experts

NEW DELHI: Just the way the United States managed to prove wrong doomsayers, who had predicted a health crisis in the country by preventing consumption of junk food in schools and providing counselling to parents and students, the Delhi Diabetes Research Centre (DDRC) has called for appointing a nutritionist in all the schools for guiding children and their parents on how to eat healthy and stay fit.

The DDRC has also advised parents to take their children out on a picnic every weekend and to play with them. "This can be a good way of exercising and entertaining oneself. Going to fast food outlets is at best avoidable," DDRC chairman A.K. Jhingan said.

Also, parents have been advised to go for a 50-minute walk daily -- at any time of the day as per their convenience -- to stay fit and to inculcate the habit of walking in their children as well. "For walking, it is not essential that you wake up at 5 in the morning and go out. Alighting from a bus or Metro two stops ahead or parking some distance from your office and taking a walk can also do the trick."

"As per World Health Organisation figures, India has 3.8 crore known diabetics at present and this number is set to increase to around 7.8 crores before 2030. With an equal number of pre-diabetics or those who will eventually become diabetic we are heading for a disaster and something needs to be done quickly," said Dr. Jhingan.

With rapid industrialisation and change in food habits, there has been a considerable increase in obesity that decreases insulin sensitivity and causes increase in blood sugar level.

In Delhi, a recent survey had revealed that about 18 to 23 per cent children were obese.

Since Delhi already has a diabetic population of about 15 lakhs and it can grow to about 30 lakhs in the next two decades, DDRC has demanded that good nutrition habits should be promoted and children be counselled to give up bad eating habits, particularly fast food.

"Eating right and exercise are the mantra for losing weight and gaining life," said Dr. Jhingan, adding that food high in saturated fat and calories should be avoided and fresh fruit, vegetables, sprouts and traditional Indian diet should be encouraged as it is high on nutrition and low on calories.

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