From the driver's seat to the office chair and then the comfy couch, sedentary lifestyle could well be the killer, avers a new Mayo Clinic study. Sitting could well be more dangerous than smoking, as it kills more people than HIV and is more treacherous than parachuting.Recent researches tag global figures on account of sedentary lifestyle deaths are an alarming 5.3m, terming it pandemic, equating to about one in 10 deaths from diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and breast and colon cancer. Habitual inactivity raises risks for obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, deep-vein thrombosis, and metabolic syndrome among many others.Prolonged sitting adds up to six percent of all cases of coronary heart disease, about 7 percent of type 2 diabetes and 10 percent of breast and colon cancer; that is 5.3 million deaths per year, more than the 5 million lives lost annually to smoking.A new way of thinking, suggesting the public needed to be warned about the dangers of inactivity rather than just reminded of the benefits of being active seems to be the only possible solution in sight, aver researchers drawn from centres across the world, who feel that governments needed to look at ways to make physical activity more convenient, affordable and safer.Keeping this in mind, Asif Bhamla, President, Bhamla Foundation, has roped in Akshay Kumar as the MCGM’s good health ambassador by getting the superstar to bring to life, Jaanbachao campaign and wants every citizen not to be his own enemy and protect himself against diseases. Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, and also starring renowned Marathi actor Nikhil Ratnaparikhar, the campaign is a unique initiative by the foundation and MCGM.This Goodhealth campaign followed the TB Harega Desh Jeetega campaign with Bill Milanda Gates Foundation, featuring Amitabh Bachchan to essay character of the common man.Bhamla, who is known for his philanthropic activities, is known for his support to environmental and humanitarian causes. The current campaign sees Akshay Kumar bring out the fitness consciousness is the common man, and was launched by Devendra Fadnavis, Hon Chief Minister of Maharashtra in the presence of Ajoy Mehta, Municipal Commissioner, Mumbai, Additional Commsioner Sanjay Deshmukh, Ashish Shelar, Shalini Thackeray, and eminent cardiologist Ramakanta Panda of Asian Heart Institute and Sonu Walia among others. Shekhar Suman was the Master of Ceremonies.Devendra Fadnavis was vocal in his appreciation. “A true celebrity is one who does not just deliver hit films but also takes out time to stand up for causes that matter. Akshay has not just taken out time for the Jaanbachao campaign but is also here for the launch. This, in my mind, makes him a true ‘hero, a true ‘superstar’. Asif Bhamla has a social bent of mind and through Bhamla Foundation has done a commendable initiative with MCGM,” he stated.Added Asif Bhamla, “We lose health for half our lives earning wealth, and the other half we lose wealth to get good health. This campaign aims to shake us from our couch potato roots and get us to get out there and do something now. Who else could be a perfect ambassador than Akshay Kumar? And when it came to direction, we could think of no one better than Rajkumar Hirani. I am glad, both agreed and the Chief Minister is gracious enough to give the nod to launch the same. We hope this campaign goes a long way in helping not just Mumbaikars but each global citizen stay healthy.”Akki had a word of advice. “For good health, all you need to do is to not eat anything after 6:30 pm… if you follow this simple rule, diabetes, hypertension and any such disease can be kept at bay.” “India is burdened with a twin epidemic of infectious and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Even as we tackle diarrhea and tuberculosis as causes of large scale death, we face the dubious distinction of being the heart disease and diabetes capital of the world. Unhealthy eating habits, lack of exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption and stress along with poor health seeking behavior puts Indians at high risk for NCDs. The brunt of NCDs is borne by most people in their most productive years and it affects their families and the nation at large," avered Dr. Ramakanta Panda, Cardiac Surgeon and Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Asian Heart Institute, Mumbai. “According to the WHO Global action plan, if these risk factors are addressed by changing lifestyle, it can reduce NCD related premature deaths by 50%. It is very important to adopt a healthy lifestyle which includes regular exercise and healthy diet,” he added.Considering that researchers estimate that if only 10 per cent of those who are currently inactive started to exercise, 533,000 lives would be saved; if 25 per cent began moving, 1.3 million deaths could be averted, with just 30 minutes of brisk walking or cycling five days a week, we would like this initiative to surely make a difference.
