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Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
1 in 2 men, 1 in 10 women in state smoke, finds study; docs flag lung cancer risk
1 2 3 Kolkata: Nearly one in two men and about one in 10 women in Bengal are smokers, one of the highest proportions in the country, making the state's population vulnerable to lung cancer, says the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS) report. The figures are scarier for Kolkata. Here, more than one in two (56.6%) residents are smokers, the survey claims, adding that 82% men and 23.5% women indulge in the habit, the highest among all metros in the country. Overall, tobacco use — not just in smokable form, but in other forms as well — had increased over the last decade in Bengal and Kolkata, the report states. Experts say the findings should serve as a grim reminder that concerted anti-tobacco awareness drives should start targeting the right age-groups, specifically those between 14 and 18, which is the age at which most pick up the habit. So far, awareness initiatives have been largely ineffective, say experts. "Rather than adults, the focus of the initiative should be adolescents or school and college students," said Subir Ganguly, an oncologist with Medica Cancer Centre. "It is between 14 and 18 years that most start smoking, and this is when they should be dissuaded by stressing on the disastrous consequences of tobacco use. It is also necessary to prevent access to tobacco for minors," he added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like São Mateus Do Sul: Quanto vale a sua casa? Descubra agora! Valor da casa | Anúncios de pesquisa Saiba Mais Undo "It is between 14 and 18 years that most start smoking, and this is when they should be dissuaded by stressing on the disastrous consequences of tobacco use. It is also necessary to prevent access to tobacco for minors," oncologist Subir Ganguly said. A study among high school students in Bengal found tobacco use is more common among rural male students than female students. Currently, tobacco use ranges from 36.9% to 52.4% among urban and rural students. The total number of lung cancer patients in the eastern region could be around 12 lakh, claims Bengal Oncology, an organisation working to provide cancer treatment to the underprivileged. But muted symptoms are responsible for a huge number of lung cancer cases remaining undiagnosed or detected late, leading to high mortality, say oncologists and pulmonologists. "So, the actual figure is likely to be much more than 12 lakh, as it does not include the huge number of undiagnosed and unreported cases. It could be a few more lakhs," Ganguly added. A persistent cough, fever, breathing distress or sudden weight loss needs immediate medical intervention, said Charnock Hospital pulmonologist Soumya Sengupta. "While tobacco use is the principal trigger, secondary smoking, environmental smoke or smoke from chullahs are equally responsible for lung cancer," Sengupta added. "If early signs are heeded, it can be detected in the first two stages, which makes lung cancer curable through surgical intervention. But that rarely happens." Around 55% afflicted with the ailment is diagnosed in the third or fourth stages of the illness and survive less than five years, according to data and case studies compiled by the Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research (IPGMER). Lack of awareness on the part of non-oncologists and faulty first-line treatment are as much responsible for higher mortality rates as ignorance on the part of patients, experts say. . Medica Superspecialty Hospital and Manipal Hospital pulmonologist and intensivist Arnab Bera said this posed a significant health risk. "With nearly 26.7 crore adults using tobacco in India, we must revise tobacco cessation policies to introduce effective alternatives," Bera said. "These alternatives should be reserved for smokers, providing scientifically proven solutions for those eager to quit, by incorporating successful strategies from countries like Japan, Sweden, UK, and US. By consulting experts, we can introduce safer alternatives like HTP for smoking cessation," he added. Physicians often lack the training to recognise and respond to early warning signs, statistics suggest. Most cases wouldn't have been detected late, had the initial warning signals been heeded, said Diptendra Sarkar, head of the department of breast cancer, IPGMER. "There is a set of indications that are easy to identify and should lead to tests to rule out cancer. But it rarely happens. So, more than half of the city's cancer patients seek treatment in the final stages and survive less than five years," Sarkar said.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Nutrition bars to be given to adolescent girls to address anaemia
The Telangana government, on Thursday, launched a scheme to provide nutrition bars, made of peanuts and millets, to address anaemia among adolescent girls (14-18 years). Each bar consists of 600 calories, 18-20 grams of protein and necessary micronutrients. Anaemia can result in weakness, diminished physical and mental capacity, maternal mortality, increased morbidity from infectious diseases, perinatal mortality, premature delivery, low birth weight, and (in children) impaired cognitive performance, motor development, and scholastic achievement, according to National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5 report. Women and Child Welfare Minister Danasari Anasuya launched the scheme titled Indiramma Amrutham on a pilot project basis, which would be implemented in Kumram Bheem Asifabad, Bhadradri Kothagudem and Jayashankar Bhupalapally districts, where there are more cases of anaemia. The scheme was designed in consultation with the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN). It would benefit 50,269 girls: 23,399 in Bhadradri Kothagudem, 18,230 in Asifabad and 8,640 in Jayashankar Bhupalapally. Depending on the feedback, it would be extended to other districts. Two free packets would be given to each through Anganwadi centres, and each packet will have 15 nutrition bars. 'Anaemia is a condition that is marked by low levels of haemoglobin in blood. Iron deficiency is estimated to be responsible for about half of all anaemia globally, but anaemia can also be caused by malaria, hookworms and other helminths, other nutritional deficiencies, chronic infections, and genetic conditions,' according to the NFHS report. Prevalence in Telangana According to the report, 58% of women in Telangana have anaemia. It was particularly high among rural women, women aged 15-19, and Scheduled Tribe women. More than two-thirds (70%) of children aged 6-59 months are anaemic. Some parents consult dieticians with a complaint that though iron rich foods were given, the mineral is deficient in their children. Dietitian Shubhangi Surana, founder, Rainbow Nutrition Clinic in Secunderabad, said that what people have along with the foods plays a role in absorption of iron. 'Incorporate Vitamin C when eating Iron. It always helps. Lemon, Guava, Tamarind, Tomatoes - to an extent - are sources of vitamin C. Calcium is antagonist to iron. So avoid Calcium rich foods with iron,' said Ms. Surana. Abitha Chilkuri, dietician and nutritionist, said that coffee and tea with milk contains toxins that bind with dietary iron and make it unavailable for absorption. 'They should be avoided for at least an hour before, during or immediately after a meal,' she said. Ms. Surana said that Calcium (for bone development), Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Iodine, fiber are other nutritional requirements for the girls in the age group. In order to achieve optimum growth, bone mass, muscle mass and overall good health without any vitamin and mineral deficiencies and to improve longevity adolescents must consume food that is rich in calcium such as finger millet(ragi), green leafy vegetables like amaranth, sesame seeds, milk and milk products, said Ms. Abitha.
India.com
6 days ago
- Health
- India.com
THIS Indian state has more than 80% pure vegetarian people... it is not Gujarat, Maharashtra or Uttar Pradesh, it is...
THIS Indian state has more than 80% pure vegetarian people... it is not Gujarat, Maharashtra or Uttar Pradesh, it is... Vegetarian state of India: There is hardly any country in the world where there are no meat eaters. In almost every country, most people eat things like meat, fish, eggs. But when it comes to vegetarians, the name of India comes to mind first. Let us know which is the state where the maximum number of pure vegetarian people live. India is one of those countries in the world where most of the people are vegetarian. However, the number of people who eat non-vegetarian food is also quite large here. In some states, almost 99% of the people are non-vegetarians. That means both types of population are found in abundance in India. Have you ever wondered which is the purest vegetarian state in India? Where not only meat, but even eggs are not touched. If you don't know, then you will be shocked to hear its name, because this state is considered number one in vegetarianism. Rajasthan has the highest vegetarian population in the country. According to the data of National Family Health Survey (NFHS), about 74.9 percent of the population of Rajasthan is completely vegetarian. People here mainly prefer dal, roti, rice, vegetables and milk products in their food. On the other hand, Nagaland is a state in the country where the number of vegetarians is less than one percent. That means more than 99 percent of the people here are non-vegetarians. In Nagaland, meat, fish and other non-vegetarian items are an important part of the daily diet of the people.
News18
6 days ago
- Health
- News18
Which Indian Metro City Has The Highest Birth Rate?
Last Updated: According to the National Family Health Survey (2019–21), Chennai has the highest fertility rate among India's metro cities, with a Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 1.65 India has officially surpassed China to become the most populous country in the world. While the population continues to grow rapidly, a contrasting trend is emerging in several states, especially in metro cities, fertility rates, or the average number of children born to a woman, are gradually declining. This raises a key question: in which metro city are the most children being born in India? Chennai Leads Among Metro Cities Among India's metro cities, Chennai records the highest fertility rate. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) 2019-21, Chennai has a total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.65. This means that, on average, a woman in Chennai gives birth to 1.65 children, making it the metro city with the highest fertility rate. Delhi follows with a fertility rate of 1.57, followed by Hyderabad (1.54), Mumbai (1.44), and Kolkata (1.40). These figures reflect how urban lifestyle, education, and employment have contributed to declining birth rates in big cities. However, Chennai still leads the chart. Surge In Births Recorded In Ahmedabad Recent reports show that more than one lakh (100,000) children were born in Ahmedabad during 2022-23. This is the highest number since 2019 and the first major spike in births following the Covid-19 pandemic. Southern States Calling For More Births In parts of South India, state governments are now promoting awareness about having more children. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin recently highlighted the growing concern over declining fertility rates. A similar appeal has been made in Andhra Pradesh, as demographers warn that if the average fertility rate drops below 2.0, it could lead to a population decline in the future. Why The NFHS Survey Matters The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) is a large-scale initiative by the Government of India that collects vital data on health, nutrition, education, gender equality, and population trends. Survey teams interact directly with households across states and union territories. The insights from NFHS play a crucial role in shaping public health and population policies. First Published: May 29, 2025, 08:22 IST
India.com
22-05-2025
- General
- India.com
From Bihar to Kerala: These Indian states eat the least vegetarian food
Indian states with least vegetarian population, the name on top will shock you, it is.. India is an incredibly diverse country, with the environment, language, and traditions changing dramatically every few miles. It is also known for having a reputation as the most vegetarian-friendly country, thereby indian are mostly perceived as vegetarians. However, what's shocking is that a large section of society is actually non-vegetarian. According to recent National Family Health Survey reports and more state-specific data, there are many states of mind of deal in that the Indian states show a fairly high level of acceptance and detail of non-vegetarian or vegetarian populations and attitudes. Here are the Indian states with the lowest vegetarian population, making up to the highest non-vegetarian consumption in the country Nagaland Nagaland takes the top position. According to multiple NFHS reports, this northeastern state demonstrates the highest non-vegetarian consumption. Over 99% of the population consumes meat, with pork, beef, and fish being the mainstays of their traditional cuisine. West Bengal West Bengal emerged in the second spot, where 99% of the population consume non-vegetarian food. West Bengal is known for its love of fish, mutton, and chicken, and dishes such as macher jhol (fish curry), are frequent staples of their diets. Kerala In Kerala, based on population, non-veg is eaten by 99.1% of the population which makes it in third place. It has a reputation of healthy living, still, meat, fish, and egg-based dishes are part of the Malayali diet. Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh ranks fourth based on population with 98.25% of the population eating non-veg. Both Andhra coastal and inland populations have types of meat and seafood preparations such as spicy chicken and prawn dishes. Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu ranks sixth with 97.65%, as it is non-vegetarian, with the majority of the households in the state loving chicken biriyani. Odisha Odisha is not much behind. Odisha's population consumes non-veg with 97.35%, and fish is a staple with a large proportion of the population. Bihar and Uttar Pradesh 88.07% of people are non-vegetarians in Bihar. Uttar Pradesh is only 59.08%, where over half of the state prefers to eat meat over vegetarian meals. These number shows the contrary of the age-old belief that Indians are vegetarians. While there remain several religious, cultural, and regional factors influencing food choices, a majority of Indians are omnivores.\
