BIG SHIFT IN INDIA'S FITNESS & NUTRITION TRENDS

India is witnessing a trend of more and more people going for nutritional and fitness advice lately, a ToI report said on June 27. According to the report (by Anuja Jaiswal), this trend has grown significantly post Covid.

The growing demand for nutritional guidance and fitness coaching is driven by increased awareness of lifestyle disorders and dietary habits, the report added. Social media has amplified this consciousness. Experts attribute this to a rise in sedentary lifestyles due to work-from-home arrangements, increased use of online food delivery services, and a preference for ready-to-eat meals. These changes have adversely affected people's dietary habits and overall health.

Ruchika Jain, head nutritionist at Fortis Vasant Kunj, told ToI that the pandemic-induced shift towards sedentary lifestyles. She noted that the increasing reliance on online food delivery and ready-to-eat meals is impacting people’s diets and health significantly.

"The most common age range seeking nutritional advice falls between 18 and 45 years old," Jain said, adding that there has been a marked rise in younger individuals consulting professionals in recent years.

Anjali Bhola, a nutritionist at AIIMS, recently counseled several adolescents aged 17-19 years, whose weights ranged from 115 kg to 130 kg. She attributed this alarming trend to a more sedentary lifestyle.

"The convenience of food delivery services has led teens to prefer ordering food online rather than consuming home-cooked meals," ToI quoted Bhola as saying. She further noted that some children were on the verge of pre-diabetes and holding parents accountable for this trend.

Ritika Samaddar, head (south zone), dietetics, nutrition at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, observed that many patients are seeking dietary advice to maintain their health.

“About 5-10 patients visit the OPD every day for blood tests and nutritional guidance, in addition to those with chronic illnesses. This trend can be attributed to a combination of sedentary lifestyles, poor eating habits, and high-stress levels,” Samaddar stated.

Samaddar also pointed out the rising incidence of gastrointestinal issues among patients, including digestion problems, constipation, bloating, and acidity, commonly known as irritable bowel disease.

Additionally, there is an increase in cases of metabolic syndrome, which involves high triglycerides, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and excessive weight. Samaddar attributed these conditions to unhealthy lifestyles, stress, and irregular sleep patterns.

However, she emphasized that proper nutrition, exercise, and adopting healthy lifestyle practices can completely reverse these conditions.

“The focus has shifted from simply losing weight to overall well-being, general health, and fitness,” said J. K. Francis, MD and fitness consultant and personal trainer at Rejuvenation Fitness Pvt Ltd.

Francis noted that strength training is gaining attention, with clients ranging from six to 90 years old as more people become aware of health issues.

“Yoga, weight training, Pilates, aerobics, and kickboxing are tailored to individual requirements and medical conditions,” Francis added.