Latest news with #ZubedaHamid
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
What do you need to know about the Covid-19 spike in India?
What do you need to know about the Covid-19 spike in India? Yet again, we are talking about a virus we would much rather forget – Covid-19 is in the news with over 4,300 cases and over deaths as of June 4. New sub-variants, descendent from the Omicron lineage first reported at the end of 2021, are believed to be driving the spike in cases. So far however, a majority of the cases have been mild, with very few requiring hospitalisation, according to the government. Is Covid-19 here to stay? Do we have any reason to be concerned about the new variants? Do we need vaccines or booster shots again? And, what as individuals, can we do to stay safe? Guest: V. Ramasubramanian, consultant infectious diseases specialist, Apollo Hospital, Chennai and medical director, Capstone Multispecialty Clinic, Chennai Host: Zubeda Hamid Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian. Listen to more In Focus podcasts:
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Are advertising and easy access driving rising sugar consumption among Indian children?
The Central Board of Secondary Education, or CBSE, recently mandated the establishment of sugar boards at all its schools. These boards will tell children how much sugar there is in common snacks that they eat versus what the recommended sugar intake is. The move also aims to make school canteens healthier so that the food children have access to on a daily basis is healthy and low in sugar. Why was this move necessary? Reports estimate that by 2030, one of every ten obese children the world over will be from India. India is staring at an obesity crisis among all segments of its population, but public health experts are increasingly worried about the youngest of them – children and adolescents. While diets high in ultra-processed food and lack of physical activity are said to be the main culprits, there is not enough talk about why our diet patterns are changing – relentless advertising and the cheap and easy availability of unhealthy food. Do our advertising laws need to change to ensure such foods are not marketed to children? Do our food labelling laws need to be modified? Will less access help improve diet patterns? Guest: Dr Arun Gupta, paediatrician and convenor of Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest (NAPi) Host: Zubeda Hamid Edited by Jude Francis Weston For more episodes of In Focus:
The Hindu
22-04-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
What is Type 5 diabetes and why is it of concern in India?
Even as India grapples with its estimated 101 million cases of Type 2 diabetes, a new type of diabetes has recently hit the headlines – Type 5. At the International Diabetes Federation's meeting held recently, an announcement was made: a working group is to be formed to develop criteria and guidelines for Type 5 diabetes. Estimates indicate that this form of diabetes affects 25 million people across the world, primarily in Asia and Africa. Though this form of diabetes was first recorded over 75 years ago, there has been very little attention paid to it so far. What is type 5 diabetes? Whom does it affect? What is its burden in India? And Do more resources need to be allocated to fighting it? Guest: Prof Nihal Thomas, senior professor, department of endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism, Christian Medical College, Vellore and chair of the IDF Working Group Host: Zubeda Hamid Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian. Listen to more In Focus podcasts:
