Samosa vs Health: Will calorie warnings stop India's junk food obsession?
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India.com
4 hours ago
- India.com
Genetic Risk Of Obesity In Indians Differs From Europeans: Study Reveals Why Lifestyle Changes Work Better
Hyderabad: Lifestyle solutions or specific nutrient supplementation might yield better results for Indians with genetic risk of obesity, reveals a study. Many gene variants previously associated with obesity in Europeans do not affect Indians similarly, which resonates with a different pattern of obesity in Indians, according to the findings of the study by researchers at Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology under Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad. The study also revealed that Polygenic Risk Score (PSR) predicts obesity more accurately in people with European-like ancestry than in those with other ancestries, including Indians (South Asian ancestry) Researchers at CSIR-CCMB, led by Dr Giriraj Ratan Chandak, characterised the genomes of the Indian population. They included individuals with diabetes as well as those with normal blood glucose levels, who have been followed for nearly 20 years, providing a unique opportunity to investigate the genetic basis of obesity in Indians. Obesity is a grave problem in India and other parts of South Asia, given their incidences of diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. The pattern of obesity in India is notably different from that in Europe, with Indians tending to have more central (abdominal) obesity. Several obesity-associated genetic changes were identified and used to develop the PRS for Indians, effectively creating a 'virtual individual' to model obesity risk. This data from Indian samples has served as a representative for the South Asian population in the study. Through this data, the study's findings become more relevant for the Indian and South Asian populations. The scientists also examined the connection between a person's genetic risk of obesity and the impact of lifestyle weight loss interventions, such as diet and exercise. They discovered that individuals with a higher genetic risk of obesity responded better to interventions but also regained weight more quickly once the interventions ended. 'The observations made from this study are similar to the earlier results on height, where genetic variants identified in Europeans predicted lower risk in Indians, and environment-related modifications of genes play a larger role. It looks like lifestyle, diet and nutrition might be playing an equal or more important role in predicting obesity in Indians. So, for Indians, lifestyle solutions or specific nutrient supplementation in the background of genetic risk might yield better results,' said Dr Chandak. Earlier studies by Dr Chandak showed that the genetic basis of non-communicable diseases varies significantly between Indians and Europeans. The latest study by researchers at CSIR-CCMB is part of a global study. An international team of 600 researchers across 500 institutions drew on the largest and most diverse genetic dataset ever, including genetic data from the GIANT consortium and consumer DNA testing firm 23andMe. This provided access to genetic information from over 5 million people from different countries, including India. Using this data, the researchers developed a genetic test called PRS that predicts adulthood obesity in early childhood. This discovery could help identify children and adolescents already at higher genetic risk of developing obesity, who could benefit from targeted preventative strategies such as lifestyle interventions at a younger age. This score is twice as effective as the previous best test at predicting a person's risk of developing obesity. 'What makes the score so powerful is its ability to predict, around the age of five, whether a child is likely to develop obesity in adulthood, well before other risk factors start to shape their weight later in childhood. Intervening at this point can have a huge impact,' says Assistant Professor Roelof Smit from the NNF Centre for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR) at the University of Copenhagen and lead author of the research that was published in the journal Nature Medicine.
NDTV
5 hours ago
- NDTV
Swiggy Rolls Out 'High Protein' Category On App To Promote Healthier Eating
Food delivery platform Swiggy has rolled out a new feature for users wanting to make healthier food choices. The company recently announced the launch of a dedicated 'High Protein' category on its app, which is now available across 30 cities in India. The initiative responds to the growing consumer demand for protein-rich meals. It is also designed "to make high protein food items and meals more visible, accessible, and integrated into everyday ordering behaviour," as per Swiggy. The new category already includes over 5 lakh dishes curated from more than 35,000 restaurant partners across cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, and Chandigarh, among others. Also Read: Swiggy Launches New Travel And Lifestyle App 'Crew': What It Does And How It Works How Does Swiggy's High-Protein Feature Work? Each dish listed under this category meets specific nutritional criteria: At least 15 grams of protein 700 kcal value or less A protein-to-calorie ratio of 10% or more "Proteins are an essential part of our daily intake," said Deepak Maloo, Vice President of Food Strategy, Customer Experience & New Initiatives at Swiggy. "With this launch, we aim to make high-protein dishes more accessible to our users, enabling better health and well-being. We will continue partnering with restaurants to expand these offerings." The launch of Swiggy's new feature follows a successful pilot phase where over 1.8 million users explored high-protein meals through the app. While metros like Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi led in orders, cities like Chandigarh also showed strong interest. This implies that there is indeed widespread demand for foods with high protein content. How To Use Swiggy's High-Protein Search Feature? The High Protein category is designed for easy discovery: Users can search terms like "Protein" or "Diet" on the Swiggy app to access the section. Dishes are organised by protein content, and users can filter by ingredients (specific protein sources) like paneer or soya. They can also browse protein-rich options within selected restaurants. Also Read: Swiggy User Ordered 200 Pizzas Worth Rs 45,000 In Single Order, Company Reveals Why The Focus On Protein? Several reports and studies have highlighted protein deficiencies in the Indian diet. In recent times, an increased interest in formal fitness and nutrition routines has also led to a heightened awareness of the importance of protein. Swiggy cited a report by ICRISAT, IFPRI, and CESS, which reveals that two-thirds of households in India's semi-arid tropics fall short of the recommended protein intake. It also mentioned an IMRB survey, which revealed that 73% of Indians are protein-deficient, with only 10% consuming sufficient protein in their daily diets. Swiggy's new category apparently aims to bridge this gap by making healthy food more visible and convenient. Advertisement For the latest food news, health tips and recipes, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and YouTube. Tags: Swiggy Swiggy New Feature Swiggy High Protein Category High Protein Food News Show full article Comments
India Today
5 hours ago
- India Today
Overactive bladder? Five lifestyle changes that promise big relief
Overactive bladder affects millions of Indians, manifesting as sudden, uncontrollable urges to urinate, frequent trips to the washroom and sometimes embarrassing leakage. While medication and bladder-training remain mainstays of the treatment, research shows that a few key lifestyle adjustments can significantly ease the symptoms. Dr Mahesh Babu, consultant urologist at the Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology, Secunderabad, explains five evidence-backed changes that really work:Mind your fluids: Many people with overactive bladder instinctively cut down on all fluids, but severe restriction can irritate the bladder and worsen urgency. Instead, aim for a balanced fluid intake of about 1.5-2 litres daily, unless your doctor advises otherwise. Avoid drinking large quantities all at once, especially before bedtime. Distribute fluids evenly through the day to reduce nighttime trips to the bladder irritants: Certain foods and drinks are notorious for triggering urgency. Caffeine, found in tea, coffee and many soft drinks, is a well-known culprit. Alcohol can irritate the bladder lining and increase urine production. Spicy foods, artificial sweeteners and acidic (citrus) items can also worsen the symptoms for some. Keep a food diary to pinpoint your personal triggers and eliminate or reduce them healthy weight: Excess weight increases abdominal pressure, putting extra stress on the bladder and pelvic floor muscles. Several studies have shown that even modest weight-loss (5-10 per cent of body weight) can decrease urinary frequency and urgency episodes. Incorporate regular exercise, such as brisk walking, yoga or swimming, to support both weight management and pelvic muscle strength. Train the bladder: Bladder retraining is an effective behavioural technique. Start by scheduling bathroom visits every hour, regardless of urge. Over time, increase the interval between voids by 15-30 minutes each week. This helps the bladder hold more urine comfortably and reduces signals of over-activity. While progress can take weeks, consistent practice yields lasting your pelvic floor: Strong pelvic floor muscles provide crucial support to the bladder and help control sudden urges. Kegel exercises—contracting and relaxing the muscles that stop urine flow—are proven to reduce leakage and urgency. Aim for at least three sets of 10 contractions daily. If you're unsure whether you're doing them correctly, a physiotherapist specialising in pelvic floor health can guide to India Today Magazine- Ends
