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14 THE WEEK · JULY 29, 2018
HEALTHPeople who are fit in middle age have a lower risk of
depression and death from cardiovascular diseases later in life,
according to a US study published in the JAMA Psychiatry.
The study was based on nearly 18,000 healthy men and women
who had their cardiorespiratory fitness measured at midlife
around age 50.
During nearly 40 years of follow up, participants who had
a high level of fitness in midlife had a 16 per cent lower
risk of depression; a 61per cent lower risk of death from
cardiovascular diseases in people without depression; and a
56 per cent lower risk of death from cardiovascular diseases in
people who had been diagnosed with depression.
The study clearly establishes the link between fitness, heart
health and brain health. "These new insights illustrate
the importance of fitness to maintain both physical and
psychological health as we age. Now we know that the long-
term benefits and the connection between mind-body wellness
are more significant than we thought. We hope our study
will highlight the role of fitness and physical activity in early
prevention efforts by physicians in promoting healthy ageing,”
the study author said.FIT IN MIDLIFE LOWERS RISK
OF DEPRESSION, HEART DISEASECARDIOVASCULAR
DISEASE RISK
HIGHEST AMONG
MALAYALIS
The risk for cardiovascular
diseases (CVD) varies
significantly across states and
socio-demographic groups in
India. The risk for cardiovascular
diseases was highest in Kerala.
Cardiovascular disease is the
leading cause of mortality in
India.
For the study published in PLOS
Medicine, researchers from
Harvard University used two
large household surveys which
sampled 7,97,540 adults aged 30
to 74 years across India.
The average 10-year risk for CVD
events varied widely by state—
Jharkhand had the lowest risk at
13.2 per cent and Kerala had the
highest risk at 19.5 per cent.
The risk of fatal and nonfatal
CVD events was higher among
wealthier and more urbanised
Indian states.
While smoking was more
prevalent in poorer households
and rural areas, higher body
mass index, blood glucose and
systolic blood pressure were
seen in wealthier, urban areas.
"[This] information will be
essential for effective targeting
of resources and interventions
for prevention, screening, and
treatment to those most at
risk and most in need. Such
investments in targeted CVD care
programmes as well as relevant
health policy measures are
urgently needed—particularly in
states with a high CVD risk," said
the study authors.