Dt. Pallavi Jassal M.Sc. is a Foods & Nutri on Die cians completed her PGD Naturopathy & Yoga. she is a Chief Consultant at Diet, Nutri on & Natural Health. she is a Cer fi ed Nutri onist by Canadian Society of Nutri on Management. and Formerly at Chris an Medical College, Ludhiana, Mediwell Heart Ins tute, Chandigarh

 

Lifestyle diseases are ailments that are primarily a ributed to the day to day habits of people. A sedentary life can cause a number of health issues that can lead to chronic non-communicable diseases that can have even life-threatening consequences. Examples of lifestyle diseases are cardiovascular diseases (like heart a acks and strokes), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer's disease, depression and other lifestyle associated diseases. Globally, the popula on has gained more than a decade of life expectancy since 1980, rising to 69.0 years in men and 74.8 years in women in 2015. Also, the rate of people dying from cardiovascular disease and cancers has also reduced, although at a slower pace. About 17.5 million people died from cardiovascular diseases in 2012, represen ng 31 percent of all global deaths. This number is expected to increase to more than 23 million by 2030. People are living for more years but with illness and disability. High blood pressure, smoking, high blood 

sugar, high body mass index, and childhood undernutri on were the world's leading risk factors for premature death and ill health. Stronger interven ons are required for the preven on, control and treatment of cardiovascular diseases to reduce the burden and save lives. A strategy which aff ects the societal infl uences, regional cultural diversity and the changing lifestyles due to urbaniza on should be formed. Defi nitely, the involvement of the medical community in preven on eff orts is important. Strict and prac cal methods to control the use of and exposure to tobacco, along with encouragement of healthy lifestyles, such as increased physical ac vity and decreased fat and carbohydrate consump on, should be an integral part of any program. A strategic approach should be designed so that all stages of the life cycle are targeted. Spreading awareness about harmful eff ects of tobacco products and content of salt in foods can help millions of people avoid unnecessary death and suff ering from cardiovascular disease.