Independence Day Special: Get Fit India!

#Fact 1: The Great Indian irony, while a large section of the population is battling malnutrition, according to noted journal Lancet every five Indian men and women is either obese or overweight. The study also says - India is the third most obese country in the world after US and China.

According to a study released by Metropolis Healthcare, almost 58 percent of Delhiites have high cholesterol levels - a problem that results from over-eating and an extremely sedentary lifestyle.

Foods that can help you fight the battle against high cholesterol levels are - Beans, salmon, avocado, garlic, spinach, walnuts, cashews and dark chocolate.

#Fact2: Indians around the world have the highest rate of heart diseases and four people die of heart attack every minute in India. With this alarming rate, it is believed that by 2016, about 60% of world's cardiac patients would be Indians.

Best foods that guard your heart against the risk of coronary heart disease - Oily fish, legumes, soy products, nuts, green tea, garlic, banana, fruits, vegetables, products high in fibre such as beans, jacket potato, dried fruits, whole grains to name a few.

#Fact3: There is an increase in incidence of over-weight children and adolescents in urban areas. Latest estimates by WHO (World Health Organization) shows prevalence of obesity among adolescents (13-18 years) has grown from 16 per cent to 29 per cent over the last five years.

#MyFit100Days Expert suggestion - Fight obesity by making simple changes in your daily schedule like:

a. Go Walking and Stay Active!
b. Bunk the junk - Cook and eat, home-made food whenever possible.
c. Make veggies and fruits your best friend
d. Stay hydrated - Make sure to increase your water intake to maximum 3 litres.

#Fact4: Recent study done by Metropolis Healthcare which is a multinational chain of diagnostic centers suggests that almost 58 percent of Delhiites have high cholesterol levels - a problem that results from over-eating and an extremely sedentary lifestyle. According to a joint study done by nutrition and cancer experts of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), in New Delhi, excess weight and obesity substantially increase the chances of breast cancer in women.

Top superfoods to fight cancer are - Broccoli, berries, tomatoes, walnuts, garlic and beans.

#Fact5: Currently diabetic patients in the country are nearly 41 million and this is expected to rise by 170 per cent in the next 20 years. The Health Ministry's consensus guidelines for Prevention and Management of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome state that every second person in Delhi fulfils the criteria of obesity. We have excess abdominal fat and nearly one-fourth of the adolescent population in the capital has Syndrome X or metabolic syndrome that heralds the onset of heart diseases and diabetes.

Foods that spike your blood sugar levels - Highly processed foods such as rice, sugar, pasta, products high in saturated fat and trans fat like salad dressings, fatty meats, burgers and products like cakes, doughnuts, muffins.

#Fact6: A statement in the Atlantic magazine illustrated that cases of diabetes has a direct link with obesity and it is at increase in India - from 37.6 million cases in 2004, to 41 million in 2007, and projected to jump to 80.9 million by 2030.

Get fit India! Change your lifestyle and keep diseases at bay. All you need to do is hit the gym regularly and eat clean. #MyFit100Days expert suggests you should eat a balanced diet and keep a check on your sleeping pattern. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) however recommends you should add fruits, veggies, whole grains and lean meats in your diet daily.

#Fact7: Did you know more than half imported baked products which was rejected by the U.S. FDA this year were from India? The products included many top brands from India. The U.S Food and Drug Administration rejected Haldiram's snacks on 19th September on the grounds that it contained pesticides. The U.S FDA also rejected a batch of Britannia biscuits on Januray 6th stating that 'the article appears to be misbranded in that the label or labelling fails to bear the required nutrition information.' Bikaji, Bikanerwala and Desai Brothers were also spotted in the import refusal report on the grounds of the article consisting 'in whole or in part of a filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance or be otherwise unfit for food."

Next Up on Our Independence Day Special #GetFitIndia Series: Healthy Vs Unhealthy Lifestyle, What's Your Choice?