The Hindu : Eat and exercise sensibly

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 04, 2002

Opinion

Opinion - Editorials

Eat and exercise sensibly

AS THE WORLD grapples with aging and illness, spending millions of dollars in research and remedy, there is a shocking tendency to ignore and belittle the simplest of solutions for these maladies. Jog or just walk to stay trim and fit. These exercises can do wonders for not just one's physique but also one's mind. A brisk walk or run may well ease you and chase away your blues, proving the age-old adage, a healthy mind is often the secret of a healthy body. In fact, the World Health Organisation has been advocating "move for health" for many years now. Although death and disease have to strike all of us eventually, they can be put off through a very ordinary workout. Which, experts say, can prevent the bane of modern living. Diabetes, hypertension and heart conditions may be genetic among some communities, but they can be kept at bay or stopped from worsening if one were to follow the basic rules of life: eat sensibly and exercise moderately. In short, no binge every evening, iced and peppered with grease and abuse that can include excessive alcohol and oily food.

With the average Indian genetically susceptible to diabetes and coronary complications, the need for moderation assumes far greater importance here than it does elsewhere. But most of the billion people who live in this part of the planet are either ignorant of these facts or just could not care less. Often, they tend to be fatalistic and foolish or, at best, seek and pay fortunes for methods that may seem easy, but are usually ineffective and even harmful. A newspaper report avers that "jogging and morning walk spiced with jokes and gossip, which once formed an indivisible part of New Delhi's culture is fast getting replaced by health clubs and fitness centres, which offer a wide range of systems, the latest in the line being computerised body analysing". With greater disposable incomes now available, people are tempted to splurge on quick-fix answers that may well be no answers at all. A gymnasium, for instance, may serve a purpose as long as a user knows what is best for him. Often, he does not, and ends up wrecking himself. What is worse is the mushrooming of slimming centres which promise magic. "Pop a pill, skip a meal, slim down and stay young" are words touted by tens of such outfits, which continue to merrily mislead men and women. Crash diets and strenuous push-ups are hardly the means to a comfortable existence.

What, then, is? Exercise moderately, but regularly, and eat sensibly. There is absolutely no need to overdo: one does not have to walk tens of miles or live on punishing diets to feel happy and healthy. On the contrary, such measures can be dangerous: one, it is difficult to follow them for long, and two, they could be denying you of vital nutrients. Remember, sugar and fat are as essential as anything else for one to feel fit, both physically and mentally. Food is, of course, only one part of the problem. What is equally, if not, more important is attitude. The young and old, especially in India, are frightfully lethargic. They would use a house telephone to talk to a colleague 10 metres away! They would try and drive their two or four wheeler right into a shop or an office, if only that was possible! They would use an escalator or elevator to travel a single flight of stairs! And catch them, shaking a leg or an arm! Admittedly, a greater number of people now do know the benefits of healthy living. But bombarded as they are by a continuous barrage of advertisements inviting them to pill-it-out in slimming parlours, one may be easily seduced into stepping out of one's walking shoes and tucking in that extra helping of dessert.

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