New Delhi, June 21: Delhi has always been famous for its street food, but its food habits are now eating into the health of its citizens.
According to the figures released by the Delhi Government’s Economic Survey, heart disease is the single biggest killer in the National Capital, followed by diabetes. According to the survey, released on Friday, heart attacks kill approximately 15,442 people in 2007. In comparison, diabetes kills 3,920 people.
Cancer, though perceived as deadlier, is a distant fourth, killing 2,516 people. A little ahead of cancer, tuberculosis killed 2,597.
This is definitely a shift in the trend — respiratory diseases caused the most deaths in 2006, as many as 9,164.
It no longer figures in the list, indicating that the switch to CNG and other efforts of the Delhi government to check air pollution seems to have paid off.
The survey also shows that the Capital is a study in contrast: over 600 people died of anaemia, while uncontrolled eating contributes to the death of others.
Doctors confirm that Delhi is not eating right, which is the biggest reason why it is succumbing to heart ailments. “Ready to eat food at cheap rates is delivered at your doorstep. So people generally prefer to order in rather than cook,” said cardiologist Dr Amit Banerjee, who is also the Medical Superintendent of Lok Nayak Hospital.
What makes matters worse is that Indians are genetically predisposed towards heart ailments, said Dr Ravi Kasliwal, cardiac surgeon, Apollo Hospitals. Which is also why, India is the world capital for heart diseases.
–Agencies