‘OBESITY’: A SILENT LIFESTYLE DISEASE AND CAN BE COMBATED WITH CYCLING

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Sports, Labour and Employment on Sunday, 16^th Feb’25 visited Mumbai. He was in the city to participate in a critical mass cycling event as part of the ‘Sundays on Cycle’ initiative under the ‘FIT India Movement’ campaign started by Honorable Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi. The PM made a mention in his recent ‘Man Ki Baat’ episode on All India Radio to Fight Obesity which is impacting urban population.

The Sports Minister is his speech at the cycling event in Mumbai also urged people to fight obesity through lifestyle changes and include cycling as one of the ways to battle sedentary habits’. 300+ riders took part in this event with the Sports Minister leading the ride along with prominent fitness and wellness experts.

“In our collective battle against obesity, as initiated by the Honourable PM, we must make daily fitness activities a part of our lives. Cycling is the simplest form of exercise with a profound impact on both personal health and the environment. It reduces carbon footprints and provides a solution to pollution.” – Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Sports, Labour & Employment.

Rise in Lifestyle diseases:

As India marches ahead with rapid economic development, its workforce is constantly under pressure to deliver under the demanding conditions. It’s a race against time with people coping with stressful situations and constantly on the move. This fast-paced life is pushing people to adapt to the situations with compromises to their health and eating habits. Marketers capitalizing on the situation are bombarding the urban population to consume packaged food, dine out or order through food apps more often. Quick commerce business and food app deliveries are making a yield by offering instant solutions.

The growing culture of instant gratification and quick fulfilment of basic needs is impacting people with health hazards such as diabetes, heart attacks and lifestyle ailments. As per the Economic Survey 2023-24 report “Unhealthy diets and rising rates of obesity need to be tackled urgently to improve health parameters, in order to reap the gains of the country’s demographic dividend”.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in its dietary guidelines notes the fact that 56% of the total disease burden in India is due to unhealthy diets.

Ways to improve Lifestyle habits:

Daily Exercises such as yoga, stretching, swimming, strength training
Active Mobility like walking, cycling, public transport
Reduce Intake of sugar, salt, processed foods, fried and consume home cooked food
Sleep Well with minimum 7 to 8 hrs of sleep as per body demand
Balanced Diet involving fruits, nuts, vegetables, seasonal and local
Hydration is important with adequate water intake and avoid carbonated drinks with artificial sugars, excessive coffee, tea
Avoid alcohol and smoking

Senior Dietitian, Geeta Malhotra, suggests “Lifestyle modification is the need of the hour to combat obesity. Restrict the 3S – Salt, Sugar & Saturated fats. Eat what’s grown on plants rather than eating what’s made in plants.”

How can Cycling help in prevention of Obesity:

From the bouquet of many forms of physical activities, ‘Cycling’ is one of the effective ways of burning fat, building muscle mass and endurance provided you do it consistently. Cycling can be adapted by different people, and at different life stages for commuting, recreation and intense training. Combined with balanced diet and regular physical activity (including cycling), one can manage to pursue cycling for weight management and obesity prevention.

How to start cycling for a better health:

Buy a bicycle from a local shop in your neighborhood
Choose the right safety gear
Test ride before buying to suit your body type and purpose
Join local cycling group in your area and ride along with them
Explore new routes and places
Involve cycling as one of the activities when you travel within or outside the country
Those with weaker knees and mobility issues can opt for electric bicycle for assisted pedaling and with the option to use throttle mode

Join our Strava Club: https://www.strava.com/clubs/1332696/leaderboard

To conclude, obesity impacts every aspect of our lives – from health to relationships. It lowers our self-confidence and we become mentally sick. Let’s take charge of our own condition and get going with some form of physical activity and dietary changes.

I definitely recommend you to start cycling if you haven’t still. Every pedal stroke will take you closer to your fitness goals. The journey ahead will be exciting and result-driven once you commit and believe in the process. Get on with cycling!