08/09/2022
Many of us are fortunate to pursue something that we really care about. I have always loved the field of health and I can finally say I have found something that truly aligns with my value.
The important question for me is - why is what I do so important and why does it matter if it matters at all?
I feel a great deal of responsibility for the health and wellness of ethnic groups as I share the same background. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to learn about nutrition and health and only feel it’s right that I share the knowledge to benefit others. Great work is already being done in these areas and I see myself as an extension to these amazing institutions.
Part of my goal is to address the health trends we are seeing. During my research, I came across health statistics that were worrisome – this is what the figures show for ethnic and or South Asian communities:
• Nationally, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death. This is also the case in ethnic minority groups and in total accounted for 24% of all deaths in England and Wales in 2019.
• Diabetes is another chronic condition of concern. Not only is mortality from diabetes higher in South Asian groups, the risk of developing diabetes in this group is up to six times higher than in white groups of people. Furthermore, South Asians with diabetes have a greater risk of developing complications of cardiovascular and end-stage renal disease.
• Lifestyle choices have significant impact on health in these groups. The proportion of people eating the recommended daily portions of fruit or vegetables is lower in ethnic minority groups than in white groups (England 2017/18).
• Future health is significantly impacted by health and wellbeing in early years of life. We see this in childhood obesity, with rates highest amongst groups including Asian children. The prevalence of obesity in children aged 10-11 years old in Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Indian ethnic groups was between 21-31% (England, 2019/20).
There are factors skewing the data such as levels of deprivation, household income, employment, lifestyle, genetic factors, physical activity and so on, so it’s not as simple as we think. What is clear, however, is that we need to take action to address these trends and there is no better time than now to reflect on our understanding on health and wellbeing – for ourselves, our families and our children who are the future.
Reference http://tiny.cc/mn1zuz
On the positive side, we see how people have changed their lives for the better, implementing more informed food choices as part of a healthier lifestyle. This is seen in clinic all the time!
Food is not just fuel – when mindful food choices are made, our bodies are provided with the raw materials it needs to function optimally, heal, repair and grow.
Food is medicine. As the renowned Western physician Hypocrites famously said - “Let food be thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food.”
Community engagement for me is essential and I have loved the opportunities I have had so far to educate and empower. There are not enough nutritional therapists out there doing this work but I feel reaching out to those of us who are there is definitely a step in the right direction – for you, your family, children and all those you influence!
