Addicted to junk grub? Beware!

Junk food is not only causing obesity but heartburn or acidity leading to ulcers and even cancer in food pipe, a study claimed. The nation-wide study has found that heartburn is affecting about three out of five urban Indians (From Hindustan Times). The study conducted in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Bhopal and Hyderabad showed that irregular food eating habits is another cause for heartburn among 71 per cent of the urban adult population. "Food related problems constitute the largest chunk of reasons leading to acidity. Junk food and irregular food eating habits are the two main reasons for acidity," Anup Singh, who heads the Health Care Welfare society, an NGO that works on health-related matters. "In most parts of India, people love to eat out and that results in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease," he told PTI. GRE is a condition in which acid, bile and partially-digested food in the stomach back up into the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. Heartburn happens when the esophagus comes in contact with stomach acids. If it is overlooked or not treated, it could lead to ulcers and bleeding of the esophagus. Spicy and chilly based food like pizza, spicy curries, chips and snacks -- a must at parties, celebrations and social gathering are the main culprits (10 per cent) that are changing eating habits as well as interfering with lifestyle activities.

Success for child obesity scheme

A community programme which aims to encourage obese children to be more healthy has proved highly successful, a study has found (From BBC NEWS). A year after the nine-week programme, the eight to 12-year-olds were fitter healthier, and more confident. Details of the Mend programme, now running in 100 areas across England, will be presented to an obesity conference in Budapest on Monday. One expert said the scheme could underpin work to cut childhood obesity.