Bengaluru,Nov 14 (PTI) Making a strong pitch for creatingdiabetes awareness among women, former Indian cricketer AnilKumble today recommended regular exercise and organic food toavoid getting the disease.
"Women bother about the welfare of everybody in the family,but hardly take care of their own well-being. Exerciseis very important to lead a diabetes-free healthy life. Youneed not have to go to a gymnasium. Even walking, running and Yoga can be an exercise," he said.
He was speaking to reporters after releasing the surveyfindings 'Diabetes and Women's Health', conducted by globalhealthcare company Novo Nordisk India in partnership withKantar IMRB.
Pointing out that the United Nations has designated thisday as 'World Diabetes Day', he sought to allay the notionthat the disease is restricted only to cities and said it haspermeated rural areas also.
A U.N survey has shown that 6.9 crore people in Indiasuffered from diabetes last year and the number has gone upanother 45 lakh this year.
"If we keep on ignoring the disease, by 2045 we (India)will have 14 crore people suffering from it," said Kumble.
He recommended regular exercise and organic food asan effective way to avoid getting diabetes.
Kumble said more than 40 lakh people have so far dieddue to various complications arising from diabetes. This is amajor challenge we all have. It is very important to createawareness. I am happy to be part of this awareness campaign,"said the former India coach.
He said diabetics can draw inspiration from formerPakistani fast bowler Wasim Akram, who excelled at the globallevel in the game, despite suffering from the disease.
"The only known face I can think of is Wasim Akram. Hemanaged diabetes exceedingly well. He is a classic example ofan active sportsman who performed at the peak in internationalcricket," he said.
Asked how he keeps himself fit post-retirement,he said hestill trains, but not like in his playing days.
The survey revealed that 65 per cent of young women inurban areas are at increased risk of developing Type 2diabetes due to lack of exercise.
A total sample size of 1055 women in the 18-65 years agegroup were interviewed to draw insights on the level ofawareness on risks emerging from Diabetes.
The survey in 14 cities,including Delhi,Mumbai,Bengaluru,Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chennai reflected that 78 per cent ofwomen were aware of diabetes as a serious health concern.
It also showed more than 70 per cent women believed that ahealthy lifestyle would help prevent diabetes and itsassociated complications.
Low physical activity coupled with poor eating habits and high-stress life put women in the reproductive age at riskof developing Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. PTI GMS BDN RAAPRAPR.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.