3 per cent of Mumbai’s women have hypertension, 2 per cent diabetic

Doctors says low physical activity, inadequate sleep to blame

According to the findings of a health campaign carried out by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), 3 per cent of the 18-plus woman population of Mumbai has hypertension while 2 per cent has diabetes.

The data was obtained from health screenings that have held from September 26 under the ‘Mata Surakshit Toh Ghar Surakshit' (Mother Is Safe, House Is Safe) campaign. The drive was to end on October 31 but has been extended to mid-November. Experts, however, say the findings can't be taken at
face value.

Lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and hypertension are taking a toll on Mumbaikars irrespective of sex and age.

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In Mumbai, 2,13,177 women were screened for hypertension out of which 6,641 were diagnosed with the disease while 2,05,345 were screened for diabetes and 4,458 were diagnosed with the chronic condition.

When mid-day asked the Deputy Executive Health Officer Daksha Shah why the numbers were so low, she said, "The figures may go up as the screenings have been extended till mid-November. Usually, we see the prevalence of both diseases in the above-40 age group. It might be possible that the people who have been screened till now are on the younger side. The screening is still going on. We might get a clear picture once we complete the campaign."

Dr Shashank Joshi, department of diabetology and endocrinology, Lilavati Hospital, said, "Surveys are not representative of the true population. We cannot pre-judge based on such sample sizes. I don't know what type of methodology was used to screen both diseases. However, pre-diabetes is prevalent. In my practice, I have seen both men and women suffering from these health issues. If I talk about the ratio of total patients, 60 per cent are men and 40 per cent are women."

The doctor said low physical activity, high intake of sweets and sugar and inadequate sleep are to blame for the prevalence of the disease."

Dr Hemlata Arora, senior consultant, internal medicine at Nanavati hospital, said, "The number is just 2 per cent to 3 per cent because we are screening a wider age group, wherein the number of women between 18-40 is the highest and have comparatively lower co-morbidities. Also, we are not aware how many 60-plus women, who have the highest share of lifestyle diseases, could attend the screening. If you change the demographics and check age-wise data, i.e. only 40-plus women in urban areas, the statistics can rise quite high. Having said that, even 2 per cent to 3 per cent of women testing positive, in a random screening where women are unaware of their condition and considering our large population base, it's still alarming. Annual screenings and healthy living should be promoted aggressively for women of all ages."

The doctor added that, in past few years, a rise in lifestyle diseases among younger women has been witnessed due to a lack of physical activity and high intake of low-nutrition-yet-high-calorie foods. "Even during Diwali, most women used to cook delicacies at home but now almost all of them are buying processed sweets," she said.

Meanwhile, in the state, 1,25,89,736 women were screened for hypertension between September 26 and October 21 out of which 4,39,424 were diagnosed with the condition while - in the same period - 74,02,797 were screened for diabetes out of which 2,14,743 were diagnosed with the disease.