Kolkata tops 'fatigue list' in India: Survey

A survey of 1,309 respondents in the age group of 25 to 65, has revealed that Kolkata tops the fatigue chart amongst seven cities covered in the survey.

Around 30 per cent of the people surveyed say that Delhiites are second when it comes to stress-related people in India. The survey also reveals that more than 25 per cent of the Indian population is tired due to alarming stress levels.

The survey on 'prevalence of fatigue' carried out by Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare [Get Quote], India, and Lifetime Wellness Rx International, an Apollo Hospitals [Get Quote] Group initiative, has pointed out that career, financial and family problems are significantly associated with fatigue.

The study reported a higher prevalence of fatigue among the three cities Kolkata (38.10 per cent), Delhi (30 per cent), and Bangalore (32.10 per cent).

Low level of physical activity and high environmental pollution made Kolkatans the most fatigued, the survey found. In addition to it is the increased intake of fast food and rising level of stress both parameters common to the rest of the cities.

Other cities such as Hyderabad, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Madurai and Chennai reported fatigue level of more than 20 per cent.

The study stated that women had 1.5 times higher risk of feeling fatigued. About 31.1 per cent of women surveyed were constantly tired compared to men (25.6 per cent).

According to Adrian Kennedy, managing director of Lifetime Wellness Rx, "It is all right to feel fatigued at the end of the day. But if you are feeling fatigued when you wake up in the morning, then it is alarming."

Moreover, people who do not have fixed working hours or work at night and sleep during the day, report higher stress levels and feel more fatigued, Kennedy added.

"People have a tendency to avoid exercising because they are tired. However, if they exercised more regularly, they would feel more refreshed and would be able to have more relaxed sleep which is important to avoid feeling fatigued," Kennedy added.

The experts found that diet played a key factor in this. low intake of protein, raw fruit, vegetables and water coupled with high consumption of junk food are a recipe for fatigue, they say. Stress, insomnia, lack of exercise, stamina, strength and flexibility contributed as physical factors.

http://www.rediff.com/money/2008/apr/14fat.htm