No one’s going gaga over yoga

HEALTH WORRIES Are young Indians headed for trouble? A majority of people interviewed in the Youth Survey say they don’t exercise, watch their diet or understand the importance of organic or glutenfree food

Most youngsters in India do not exercise regularly or monitor their diet. India’s ancient tradition of yoga also does not have many takers, the India Youth Survey 2017 reveals.

Statistics point to a health crisis in the making. About 70% people do not exercise regularly and 62.5% say that they do not monitor their diet.

“The impact of this will be huge. We already have a huge burden of diabetes, hypertension and heart diseases. Obesity and stressful lifestyles mean that more and more people will get these diseases. Exercise and diet are two important variables that can be modified by individuals to lead a healthy lifestyle,” says Sandhya Pandey, chief clinical nutritionist at Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurgaon.

The survey says 80% respondents do not give much importance to yoga.

Packed schedules, say youngsters from New Delhi, don’t give them time for physical activities. “Between college, debate society and volunteering at an NGO, I hardly get the time to exercise every day. Health does not remain a priority,” says Amisha Verma, a 19-year-old history student from the national capital.

“I used to go to the gym till last year. However, now I can’t take out time for it even though I think it is important for everyone to take one hour out each day for some sort of physical activity, whether it is going to the gym, doing home exercises or yoga. But, I make it a point to walk as much as I can between college, workplace and home and climb as many stairs I can,” says Vipul Tiwari, a New Delhi-based law student.

He feels people automatically become conscious of their diet when they exercise regularly.

“I usually exercise and follow a schedule maybe for a month and then I am not able to follow through with it. However, I realised that whenever I start working out I am conscious about what I am eating and I try to avoid junk food as much as possible,” says Meenakshi Ruhela, a second-year postgraduate student in social work.

When it comes to awareness about the benefits of particular food groups, nearly half of the respondents say checking fibre content is not important: 70.3% do not check for gluten, 64.2% don’t bother about the foods high on unsaturated fats. About 60.9% say it makes no difference to them whether their food is organic or not, and 63% don’t take probiotic preparations.

“When I am working out, I just concentrate on keeping the protein content high and avoid junk food,” Tiwari says.

For Ruhela, checking food labels isn’t important. “It’s only when I’m dieting that I avoid fried food and burgers,” she says.

Ishi Khosla, clinical nutritionist and founder of theweightmonitor.com and Whole Foods, has similar views. “Checking food labels won’t help. The food labels indicate if toxic substances, allergens are present and for checking the calorie count. Many people will not even understand it and it is not necessary,” she says.

Analyse the food intake - check the portion sizes and ensure that six to eight servings of fruits and vegetables are consumed, the nutritionist advises.

I usually exercise and follow a schedule maybe for a month and then I am not able to follow through with it. MEENAKSHI RUHELA, Social work student I make it a point to walk as much as I can between college, workplace and home and climb as many stairs as I can VIPUL TIWARI, Law student Between college, debate society and volunteering at an NGO, I hardly get time to exercise. Health is not a priority AMISHA VERMA, History student