Walk Towards A Healthier Future: Experts Stress Lifestyle Change To Combat Rising Heart Diseases In Pakistan
Murree: The 32nd annual PANAH walk recently took place in Murree, bringing together health experts, officials, and community members to highlight the alarming rise of cardiovascular and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Pakistan. With over 40% of adults obese and a person dying from heart disease every 90 seconds, the need for a healthy lifestyle has never been more pressing.
Unhealthy Lifestyle: A Major Contributor
Speakers at the event emphasized that an unhealthy lifestyle is a significant contributor to these diseases. Regular walking, exercise, and a balanced diet can help combat this trend. Diet plays a crucial role in prevention, with excessive sugar consumption being a major cause of concern.
Sugary Drinks: A Silent Killer
Sugary drinks, in particular, are a significant concern, with a 250ml glass containing 7 to 9 teaspoons of sugar, leading to heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, obesity, and various types of cancer.
Experts Weigh In
Dr. Abdul Qayyum Awan, Executive Senior Vice President of PANAH, stressed the need to adopt a healthy lifestyle to reduce these diseases, with mothers paying special attention to their diet for the sake of their children’s health. Col. (R) Dr. Shakeel Ahmad Mirza praised PANAH’s efforts, emphasizing that a healthy lifestyle can prevent these diseases.
PANAH’s Commitment
Sana Ullah Ghamman, Secretary General of PANAH, reiterated the organization’s commitment to saving the nation from heart and related diseases. PANAH works with policymakers to develop policies that reduce the consumption of unhealthy foods and collaborates with the government, civil society, media, scholars, youth, and teachers to solve health issues.
Call to Action
The 32nd annual walk aimed to convey the message that preventing heart and NCDs requires a daily walk, avoiding smoking, and consuming more fruits and vegetables. Experts urged parents to ensure their children engage in physical sports and prioritize healthy food to prevent various diseases.
