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Experts call for strict measures against junk food for healthier society

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KARACHI, Oct 16 (APP):Executive Director and Secretary of the Governing Body at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Professor Dr. Tahir Saghir Thursday expressed concern over the increasing consumption of junk food among young people and children, labeling it a dangerous trend.
Speaking at an awareness seminar titled “Don’t Miss a Beat!” organized by the Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization at the University of Karachi in connection with World Heart Day, Dr Saghir emphasized that if we wish to see a healthy society in the future, immediately and strict and effective measures be implemented against junk food.
He also voiced concerns over the current state of educational institutions, noting that schools today are being built on plots as small as 200 square yards, offering neither space for play nor facilities for healthy activities.
He further stated that the lack of healthy activities and physical exertion is a major contributor to the rise in diseases.
Dr Tahir Saghir said that we have nearly abandoned the simple and beneficial habit of walking, which was once an essential part of a healthy lifestyle.
Director of Cardiovascular Services at OMI Hospital Professor Emeritus Dr Syed Nadeem Rizvi highlighted that heart disease remains the leading cause of death globally.
He stressed that while we are familiar with traditional risk factors like high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes, it is equally important to address modifiable lifestyle factors such as stress and sleep.
He explained that stress affects the cardiovascular system in two distinct ways: acute stress increases heart rate, while chronic stress damages the inner lining of blood vessels, which span millions of miles throughout the body.
He added that these vessels, normally smooth and glass-like, become vulnerable to cholesterol buildup when scratched—a process that begins as early as ages 15 to 20.
Dr Rizvi emphasized that individuals who suffer heart attacks at 50 or 60 years of age often began developing heart disease between the ages of 15 and 18. He urged the public to take heart health seriously and adopt a healthy lifestyle from a young age to prevent major illnesses later in life.
On this occasion, the KU’s Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi stated that the primary goal of observing World Heart Day is to raise public awareness about heart diseases so that people prioritize timely prevention and treatment.
He expressed concern that many in our society still turn to spiritual healers and talismans instead of scientific methods, which is a very dangerous trend.
He asserted that we must believe in science, not myths. He added that without consulting modern research and qualified medical professionals, we cannot control such diseases.
Assistant Professor of Cardiology at Dow University of Health Sciences Dr Muhammad Hashim Khan revealed that heart disease was the sixth leading cause of death globally in 1990, but today it has become the number one cause of death worldwide. He mentioned that alarmingly, 80 percent of heart diseases are preventable with timely diagnosis and treatment.
Citing reports from the World Health Organization and other surveys, he noted that the World Diabetes Federation’s 2023 report ranked Pakistan as the country with the highest number of diabetes patients globally—a status that remains unchanged. None of Pakistan’s neighboring countries appear in the top 20 of this list, which is cause for serious concern.
Dr Hashim described hypertension (high blood pressure) as a “global epidemic,” stating that 1.3 billion people worldwide suffer from it. Of these, 46 percent are unaware of their condition, only 42 percent have been diagnosed and treated, and fewer than 21 percent have their blood pressure effectively under control.
Earlier, KU’s Director of the Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization Dr Syeda Hoor-ul-Ain delivered the welcome address and elaborated on the objectives of the World Heart Day awareness seminar. Founder and Chairman of Transformation International, Dr Imran Yousuf also shared his thoughts on the occasion.
Later, KU’s Dean of Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Professor Dr Muhammad Harris Shoaib, KU’s Dean of Faculty of Medicine Professor Dr Fareeda Islam, Professor Dr Farhat Batool from KU’s Department of Biochemistry, Director of KU’s Institute of Clinical Psychology Professor Dr Sobia Aftab, KIBGE’s Professor Dr Afsheen Aman, KU’s Consultant Cardiologist, KU’s Medical Officer Dr Muhammad Hassan Auj, Dr Farzana Amir Hasmhi from Tabba Heat Institute discussed precautions necessary to improve heart’s health during the panel discussion.
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