A recent study by the Tabba Institute has revealed that 80% of Pakistani women and 70% of men are suffering from obesity, a major cause of heart disease among the country’s youth, Daily Ummat Reported on Sunday.
As per the report, Professor Hanifa, head of the Tabba Institute, shared findings from a 10-year research project, presenting the preliminary results from the first year. The study, which revisits data initially gathered in 2004, involved around 12,000 participants. These individuals were selected from the general population and showed no obvious signs of illness, making the cases more reliable for long-term tracking.
According to Professor Hanifa, heart diseases are rising at an alarming rate among young people in Pakistan. The report shows that 70% of youth are at risk due to obesity and high cholesterol levels, which are directly linked to heart attacks. He warned that signs of stress, failure, and hopelessness in young people may indicate early stages of heart issues.
The study also found that more than 70% of participants had cholesterol levels above the safe limit. The rate of diabetes has not improved either, and there has been a noticeable increase in high blood sugar levels among younger age groups. Alarmingly, signs of high blood pressure are appearing in individuals as young as 20, and heart attacks are now frequently reported among people in their 30s and 40s. There are even cases of 20- or 21-year-olds suffering from heart attacks.
Out of over 2,000 study participants aged between 35 and 65, 42% were found to have high blood pressure, while 23% were obese. Their medical samples are being further analyzed at the Tabba Institute and ICT Laboratory.
The researchers stress that Pakistani youth need to adopt healthier eating habits. They recommend a diet rich in protein, low in fat, and overall more balanced. Experts also advise that people over the age of 60 should change their diets, as many are developing heart conditions even before reaching 40.
