LUDHIANA
The Home Science Association in collaboration with the Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Home Science, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), observed “World Heart Day” today. On the occasion, a rally on the theme “Rise and run for healthy heart” was organised early in the morning from Gate No. 2 to College of Home Science, PAU. Around 200 university students and faculty members participated in the rally. The programme was held under the guidance of Dr Jatinder Kaur Gulati, Dean, College of Home Science.

A talk on “Healthy Heart” was delivered by Dr Bishav Mohan, a well known Cardiologist from Hero DMC Heart Institute, Ludhiana. Showing his concern about the prevalence of heart diseases in India, he told that therisk of heart attack in Indians is 3-5 times more as compared to people from other countries. Four people die of heart attack every minute in India and the age group affected is mainly between 30 and 50 years, he disclosed. Dr Mohan further shared the research findings that 10 per cent of school children in Ludhiana are having high blood pressure. The major reasons of heart attack are high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, stress, inactivity and negativity, he observed. Dr Mohan stressed that prevention is the key to heart disease. These lifestyle diseases can only be cured by following good lifestyle habits such as regular exercise, balanced diet, yoga and stress management, he advised. Only the lifestyle modifications can lower down the incidence of heart diseases to 30-50 per cent, he suggested. Brisk walking, cycling and swimming for 30 minutes daily are the best ways to exercising, he said.

An exhibition on the theme “Healthy Heart” and “Prevention of cancer through diet” was also put up by the students of B.Sc. (Hons) Nutrition and Dietetics under the guidance of Dr Kiran Grover, Senior Extension Specialist and Dr Sonika Sharma, Assistant Professor, Department of Food and Nutrition. The focus was on creating a healthy heart environment, ensuring that people make heart healthy choices wherever they live, work or play, in order to reduce cardiovascular risk factors. The exhibition focused on healthy heart functional foods such as oats, garlic, green tea, almonds, walnuts, olive oil, rice bran oil, etc. that should be included in daily recipes. Innovative products such as sprouted tikki burger, poha, roti noodles, pop-corn bhel, suji pizza, multigrain chilla, hung curd sandwich, apple smoothie and roasted Bengal gram snacks were also exhibited. In order to reduce the incidence of heart disease, simple healthy heart choices- physical activity, healthy diet, regular check up and stress reductions were depicted in the form of a model. Theprevalence of cardiovascular diseases and its types, risk factors, symptoms, the food groups and the functional foods were displayed through charts and posters.

Dr Narinderjit Kaur, Associate Professor and Advisor to Home Science Association, proposed the vote of thanks.