ISLAMABAD: Health experts have sounded the alarm, cautioning that a lack of physical activity and the prevalent consumption of fast food, instead of nutritious home-cooked meals, are contributing to rising rates of obesity, thereby elevating the risk of heart attacks among young individuals.
Dr. Bazigha Hasan, a distinguished specialist and nutritionist, conveyed her concerns during an interview with a private news channel. She emphasized that excessive intake of junk food and sugary beverages is a leading cause of the escalating heart issues observed among school-going children. While the number of heart attacks in this age group may not be extensive, the prevalence of sedentary lifestyles has substantially heightened the likelihood of experiencing a heart attack.
Dr. Hasan recommended that children of all age brackets engage in regular physical exercise, as frequent consumption of junk food fails to provide them with the necessary nutrients and stamina to do so.
Addressing a query, she highlighted that many risk factors contributing to heart disease can be managed early in life, thus reducing the risk of heart-related complications in adulthood. Some of these factors are hereditary, passed down through family members, while others stem from underlying health conditions.
Dr. Hasan underscored the importance of prevention in averting heart problems later in life. She stressed the significance of controlling potential risk factors, beginning in childhood, to mitigate the likelihood of developing heart disease as an adult.
She also noted that high blood pressure (hypertension) in children, although not a congenital heart ailment, may have a hereditary component.
In response to another query, Dr. Hasan advocated for school canteens to undergo transformation. She recommended the elimination of fried foods in favour of promoting fruits, vegetables, calcium-rich foods, and smaller portions of protein to foster healthier eating habits among students.
