Islamabad(Sana u Allah Ghumaan), The Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH) is launching a huge campaign against ultra-processed foods in the country, which will involve public awareness as well as working on all the policy options that can reduce their consumption.
The campaign comes in the backdrop of World Heart Disease Prevention Day, which is being celebrated all over the world today to prevent the harmful effects of these diseases.
PANAH has been working for the last 40 years to raise awareness about heart diseases and other related health conditions in Pakistan. According to the organization, 406,870 people lose their lives due to heart diseases in Pakistan every year i.e. one person every one and a half minutes.
PANAH President Maj Gen (R) Masud ur Rehman Kiani said that ultra-processed foods are a major contributor to heart diseases, diabetes, obesity, and other chronic health conditions. He said that these foods are high in unhealthy fats, salt, and sugar, and they are low in nutrients.
Gen Kiani said that the campaign against ultra-processed foods will aim to educate the public about the dangers of these foods and to promote healthy eating habits. He said that the campaign will also work to develop and implement policies that can reduce the consumption of ultra-processed foods in Pakistan.
The PANAH campaign is a welcome development, as ultra-processed foods are a major public health threat in Pakistan. The government should also take steps to support the campaign and to implement policies that can reduce the consumption of ultra-processed foods.
In addition to the PANAH campaign, there are a few things that individuals can do to reduce their risk of heart diseases and other chronic health conditions:
