India’s getting fitter, Kochi fatter!

Malayalis have always been proud of their simple and nutritious food habits and lifestyle But a recent study proves this wrong. Apparently, Kochi tops the list of Indian cities in terms of obesity, irrespective of gender. We probed into the possible reasons for this phenomenon and found that the food habits and lifestyle of Keralites have changed to a great extent.
According to nutritionist Mumtaz Khalid, the major reason for obesity is that people have started eating out much more than a few years back. "A woman had come to me for a weight loss programme. She was ready to diet on weekdays but on weekends, the family had to eat out," says Mumtaz. And it's not just about eating out; people are willing to try out a variety of cuisine these days, she adds.
This happens in other Indian metros, but the difference is that the majority of Malayalis are non-vegetarians, and also, they don't consume salads and other healthy foods like North Indians do, points out nutritionists. Also, our staple food is rice, which is full of carbohydrates, says Mumtaz. 
Yet another reason cited by doctors is the extremestress levels in Malayalis, which can make people eat much more than they need. In addition, the number of people owning vehicles has multiplied in the past few years, thus taking away the little bit of walking that they might have otherwise done. "Unlike in Kochi, a good number of people in other metros are forced to walk at least short distances as they depend on metro trains and other means of public transport," says Sam George, an executive with a multi-national company. Lakshmi G, 27, a software professional, says Kochi is fast becoming a major IT hub, and our sedentary lifestyles combined with unhealthy eating habits pave the way for obesity at an early age. "There is no time for regular exercise, even if we want to," she adds.
Experts also blame lack of food etiquette among Malayalis for the rise in the number of obese people in the state. "At weddings and other events, people just hog with no inhibitions, unlike in many other cities where there is certain food etiquette," observes a city-based socialite, who has lived in many cities in India. "There, people don't attend events just to eat. Most people just sample all the dishes and a lot of food gets wasted. But here, people have no qualms about that fact that they have come to eat," she says.
Mumtaz, who has worked in Mumbai, says Mumbai people were more conscious of fitness and diet then than people here are now. "Here, people think of fitness and diet only after their cholesterol or blood pressure levels go up. Of course, genetics too play a part; but lifestyle is what matters the most," she says.