BANGALORE – Four in 10 Bangaloreans is obese, says a survey. Kochi took the number one spot in India with 46 percent incidence of obesity and Bangalore was second with 43 percent incidence, as per the survey by market research firm AC Nielsen. The survey was conducted on 30 million people all over India.
Chennai among the other South cities scored 38 percent and Hyderabad showed 30 percent incidence of obesity.
Dr M Ramesh, bariatric and diabetic surgeon, Vikram Hospital was quoted saying to TOI “Basically, the sudden urbanization of the two-tier cities, transformation to metros and altered lifestyle are to be blamed for increasing obesity. People prefer to use transport over walking small distance and eat junk food. There is no time to exercise because of hectic work schedules. All this has multiplied into increasing obesity in growing south Indian cities like Kochi and Bangalore.”
Rapid urbanization, lifestyle alteration, and poor diet are said to be the causes. Further, working round-the-clock and in night shifts, which is prevalent in IT sector and call centres, is another reason for the increasing obesity amongst Bangaloreans. Not eating on time and less physical activity is also blamed for obesity in the IT capital.
The survey revealed that 71 percent Bangaloreans preferred eating fried and fatty food and 43 percent preferred eating junk food like pizzas and burgers over healthy diet. The percentage who preferred eating fried and fatty food in Chennai, Hyderabad and Kochi were 53, 67 and 59 percent respectively. Further, 8 percent in Chennai, 38 percent in Hyderabad and 25 percent in Kochi preferred junk food.
