CHENNAI: Even as a majority of communicable diseases have been brought under control, lifestyle diseases caused by sedentary lifestyle are now posing the biggest problem to the youth of the country. This was the main line at the Youth Health Mela being held in the city. While communicable diseases like tuberculosis, malaria and dengue were yet to be brought under control, a rapid rise in the number of non-communicable diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, have threatened to derail India from taking advantage of its demographic dividend, speakers at the inauguration of the Mela said.“This is not for fun and frolic. We want school and college students to be aware of the current and changing health scenario,” said Dr V Shantha, Magsaysay Award winner and chairperson of the Adyar Cancer Institute, which is spearheading the mela.The five-day mela will focus on four key areas of concern in youth health — Substance abuse (tobacco & alcohol), Diet & Nutrition, Health & Fitness and Environment & Hygiene. Apart from plenary sessions by eminent speakers on a number of related subjects, the mela will also feature exhibits to create awareness and stalls to showcase various products or methods to maintain health and fitness.“For the first time in history, a majority of India’s population is young. This is not expected to happen again for another three hundred years. If the youth of the country are affected by these lifestyle diseases, imagine what kind of a hit India’s development would take,” said Shantha Sheela Nair, Vice Chairperson of the Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission. “Apart from the diseases, 430 fall prey everyday to interpersonal violence, suicides, etc.,” she added, noting that malnutrition and public hygiene were among India’s biggest shames.Madras High Court Judge Justice KN Basha, Ashwath Narayanan, HOD, Dept of Public Health Dentistry, Govt Dental College, and M Narayanan, editor of the Paadam magazine, were among those who took part in the inaugural function.
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