Does A Better Economy Lead To Worse Health?

Filed in archive Lifestyle on December 23, 2006

It seems that it does. Scientists recently coined the term 'urbanization' to represent the ills that come along with modernization, such as increased Fast Food Restaurants and less walking. It is happening all over the world, and India has lately begun to see the effects.

In the swanky shopping malls of India's capital finding a seat in food court restaurants offering everything from pizza and burgers to local delicacies like butter chicken and fried chapatis can chew up much of a lunch hour.

At weekends, Delhi's upwardly mobile pour out of their middle-class neighbourhoods and make a beeline for fast food outlets, queueing up to pile plastic trays with tasty meals that are often saturated in fat.

Children especially pack their favourite fast food outlets, waistlines bulging out of branded T-shirts and low-cut jeans.

As a result, obesity among India's 300 million-strong middle-class is on the rise and dieticians warn kids in particular must change eating habits now or risk serious health problems in the future.

With more overweight and diabetic children--and adults--than ever before, it seems something must change. How can we fight 'progress?'