Lifestyle may be described as a typical way of life of an individual, group or culture.We all know that our health depends a lot on our lifestyle, hence, maintaining physical and mental health are crucial to an individual's longevity and the quality of life he leads. Our personal hygiene, physical fitness and healthy diet and habits determine our physical health which in turn regulates our mental health and vice versa. Mental illnesses such as anxiety, stress and depression can lead to poor habits that adversely affect our physical health.There are certain external factors such as the environment and technology that affect our lifestyles and thus our health. Natural environment such as the fresh air, clean water, clean home, clean neighbourhood, the flowers and vegetables in one's backyard, and the social environment like one's individual living and working conditions, income level, education, community and religious beliefs may have great impact on one's lifestyle.
Technology, while it has greatly improved our lives, has on other hand led to a sedentary way of living, isolation and social deprivation through TV, the Internet and cell phones.Striking a balance between the nature and technology is imperative to our healthy living–physically, mentally and spiritually.Chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCD) are medical conditions or diseases that by definition are non-infectious and non-transmissible among people. They are of long duration and slow progression.But in some instances they may result in rapid or sudden death like acute heart attack and certain types of stroke.
CNCDs include cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, chronic lung diseases, cerebrovascular disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, cataract, chronic kidney disease, cancer, auto-immune diseases and osteoarthritis. WHO reports that CNCDs are the leading cause of mortality, representing more than 60 per cent of all deaths. Leading CNCDs as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, as well as cancer and chronic respiratory diseases are more prevalent in low and middle income groups as a result of unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and use of tobacco and excess alcohol.In conclusion, as prevalent and alarming as they are, CNCDs are largely preventable by following a healthy lifestyle practices at homes, schools, communities and work place.
Neelima Srivastava
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