Mysuru: National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) for 2023-24 recorded an increase in adults with high blood glucose levels and elevated blood pressure in Mysuru district, even as tobacco use and alcohol consumption declined.The proportion of women with high blood glucose rose from 5.2% in NFHS-5 to 8.1% in NFHS-6, while those with very high levels increased from 7.1% to 13.5%. Women with high or very high levels or taking medication to control blood sugar increased from 13.8% to 23.9%.Among men, high blood glucose prevalence rose from 4.2% to 11%, while the priportion of men very high levels increased from 8.2% to 17.9%. The share of men with high or very high levels or taking medication more than doubled from 14% to 30.7%.The survey also recorded an increase in mildly elevated blood pressure among women increased from 13.8% to 14.5%. Women with elevated blood pressure or taking medication to control it rose from 25.5% to 28.9%. Among men, the trend in blood pressure levels was mixed. in mildly elevated blood pressure declined from 18.1% to 17.3%.Alcohol consumption registered a decline. The proportion of women consuming women fell from 1.6% to 0.3%, while among men it declined from 22.2% to 16.2%.City-based neurologist and stroke specialist Dr Shushrutha Gowda said lifestyle changes, stress, processed-food consumption and possible post-Covid health changes could be contributing to the earlier onset of hypertension. Primary hypertension, in which no underlying cause is identified, was another factor.He said obesity and highly processed foods had increased the risk of lifestyle-related diseases. He called for urgent public awareness, education initiatives promoting healthier lifestyles and reduce the burden of hypertension.
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