Why are poor food choices resulting in a rise of cardiovascular diseases among working professionals?

The working class in India has seen an increasing incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Strangely, the highest increase has been recorded in the more developed states of the south and west of India. This could either be because the healthcare system is more developed, and therefore more cases are being recorded, or it could be the price of development.
As India's economy grows and more people move from rural areas, we see a greater migration to urban areas. Traditional balanced eating habits have given way to convenience foods served through QSR (Quick Service Restaurants), and professionals are being compelled to consume processed foods due to their personal circumstances. With the breakdown of the joint family structure and the shift towards nuclear families, cooking at home has become a tedious task. This has led to professionals resorting to consuming processed and frozen foods, which, in tropical climates, do not lend themselves well for consumption.
India and South Asians, in general, are genetically more inclined to cardiovascular diseases and therefore need to be more mindful of their dietary habits and have greater focus on food habits to offset this inherent risk.
Ironically, the most important meal of the day is the meal we have at work. Organizations are increasingly realizing that encouraging employees to eat healthily is an important part of their commitment to employee welfare. The concept is still in its nascent stages, and it will be some time before workplace food receives greater attention from employees.

Whether on the shop floor or within the blue-collar workforce, the office cafeteria is the only way we can improve food choices if we focus on consuming foods that are native to the region. India has always believed in consuming fresh food, and this happens to be one of the greatest dietary strengths the country has. It should draw on its natural food habits.

However, there is a common, widely held belief that consuming pastas, cornflakes, and oats is healthy. This is not to decry these foods, but it must be noted when they should be consumed. They should be consumed in a manner that other dishes complement them to make the meal more wholesome.

As a vegetarian country, choosing Western staples may not always provide a wholesome, nutritionally balanced meal that the body needs. As a nation and organizations, we therefore need to focus on building many food patterns for employees at work, which draw on traditional recipes that balance nutritional needs. It is also important to focus on food that is produced in the vicinity of where it is consumed, or at the very least within 150 km of it.

This would also help communities that grow agricultural commodities, support the environment, and reduce the carbon footprint. Processed foods inherently have a wider and bigger impact on the environment, even as they are less healthy and tend to contribute to the increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases.

That said, cardiovascular diseases are not only about food choices. They are also about lifestyle choices, which is why eating healthy is important. It cannot be a substitute for not being fit.

Not undertaking regular exercise for those with sedentary lifestyles is also a significant factor. Interestingly, more often than not, we see physically fit individuals and employees on the manufacturing shop floor than we do in the air-conditioned offices of large corporates. This only goes to testify the fact that physical activity is just as important as a healthy meal. When physical activity is combined with a healthy meal, it goes a long way in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Authored by: Sanjay Kumar, CEO & MD of Rassense Pvt. Ltd

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