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Obesity epidemic of India

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Obesity in India is on the rise. It has reached enormous proportions. As I sit and count at airports, the number of women who look obviously overweight and obese, the figures I get is 8 out of 10. And this is around same in children of all sexes and around 6 in 10 men show clearcut overweight and obesity that is obvious even to naked eye. Anthropometric measurements might reveal more of them.  What are the likely causes? I have a theory that starts analysing these cases right from the 2000s or previous century. Junk food eating and sedantry lifestyle had already given an upward push to obesity in last century. And this also gave rise to diabetes mellitus in both men and women. Hence, such mothers also had diabetes in pregnancy. Some who did not have diabetes otherwise had gestational diabetes. From 2000 to 2026 prevalence of gestational diabetes has risen in india. It has even spread to rural areas and recent national data gives a figure of 22.4% which is almost 1 in 4 pregnant mot...

Water fasting: What it is and reasons for fasting!

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 Fasting is voluntary refraining from eating and/or drinking. It is the state acquired after overnight not eating or after a meal is completely digested and absorbed. Usually after 8-12 hours of a meal, this state is reached.  Reasons for fasting: 1. Medical reasons: Prior to a procedure, surgery, or GA. Prior to some blood or imaging diagnostic tests also fasting is preferred.  2. Religious reasons 3. Weight loss.  4. As a form of political and such protests. It is called hunger strike or fasting undo death.  The claims that it cleanses the body of toxins in unscientific and lacks evidence. It is quackery. There are no health benefits of fasting.  Fasting ( Source: Harvard Health) Also read on role of selenium in food, health, and disease! Types of fasting 1. Fasting can be for particular food items 2. It can be short duration, prolonged or intermittent 3. Water fasting-Except water, everything else is withheld.  Water fasting It is not eating food bu...