Modern-day lifestyles in urban centres are basically setting more demands on all individuals, requiring them to function at peak levels in terms of their overall cognitive abilities and performance, a natural consequence of more demanding and innovation-driven jobs in the contemporary lexicon. While older professions had monetary compensation for more physically demanding tasks, modern jobs come with longer hours spent working at offices and lower physical activity. These naturally offer higher incentives for focusing on work for at least 9-10 hours each day and for 6 days every week.
At the same time, the workforce has been witnessing higher participation of women, which is a huge change as compared to conventional food preparation methods. It is also driving higher consumption of processed food items. Even slight increases in affluence or financial prosperity levels of people seem to push them towards higher risks of NCDs or non-communicable ailments including cancer, cardiovascular ailments, obesity, and more. These naturally lower overall life expectancy and quality alike. Based upon estimates of the WHO (World Health Organisation), NCDs lead to 60% of global deaths and 80% of these take place for countries in the middle-income and low-income brackets.
Naturally, such premature deaths impact the societal fabric, adding more financial burdens on younger adults, leading to loss of income and stability for families, and more avoidable side effects. The biggest causes behind NCDs are lack of physical activity and changing intake of food. The nutrition aspect is now characterized by processed and refined food consumption which offers only empty calories but leaves the body deficient in vital nutrients. At the same time, physical activity is coming down and movements are aso reducing in spite of more time for leisure. This time is mostly allocated for activities such as gaming and television by people.
What should be noted is that sitting down for hours at a stretch is anyway bad for health. While the whole picture looks frightening, the positive part is that studies are indicating how smaller lifestyle changes, more physical movements, and consumption of nutritious meals, may help in combating NCD risks. Diet plans with items on the low glycemic index such as non-starchy veggies, lentils, and fresh fruits, help in weight management and lowering risks of NCDs. Research also states that average individuals should make sure to exercise five days a week for 30 minutes in total. This may be done through joining a gymnasium, health club, fitness centre, or simply walking and climbing the stairs whenever possible. Standing meetings at offices can also play a vital role in this regard.
