Andhra Pradesh government is considering introducing food habit education in school curriculum, the Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has announced.
Releasing a detailed, district-wise health status report at the Secretariat, the chief minister called for a fundamental shift in public lifestyle, food habits, and healthcare systems to build a “Healthy, Wealthy, and Happy Andhra Pradesh.”
He emphasised the urgent need to adopt healthier eating habits, regular exercise, and stress-reduction practices like yoga and meditation.
Naidu, himself a fitness enthusiast, advised people to limit salt, sugar, and oil consumption — suggesting no more than 600 grams of salt, two liters of oil, and three kilograms of sugar per month for a family of four. He pointed out that even reducing salt intake alone can cut the risk of heart attacks by 40 per cent.
“Simple changes like walking 30 minutes a day, practicing yoga, and eating more fiber-rich foods like millet and vegetables can go a long way in preventing chronic illnesses,” he said. The chief minister also urged the public to cut down on junk food and polished rice while embracing unpolished rice and locally grown grains.
“One can easily be healthy by changing the food habits and lifestyle. Better results can be achieved through yoga, physical exercise and meditation; mental stress can be brought down with a 30-minute walk per day and by focusing on spirituality. The entire world is now following Yoga which is India’s heritage,” he said.
AP’s health snapshot
One in ten adults in AP suffers from both hypertension and diabetes, Naidu revealed , citing the latest health data that paints a concerning picture of the state’s non-communicable disease burden.
According to the report, 20.78 lakh people — or 9.6 per cent of the adult population — have both hypertension and diabetes. Women constitute a slightly higher share of these cases, at 11.2 lakh. The burden is particularly high in Eluru, NTR, and Krishna districts.
Other key figures from the report include:
· Hypertension: 19.78 lakh people (9.2 per cent)
· Diabetes: 11.13 lakh (5.1 per cent)
· Heart disease: 2.61 lakh
· Cancer patients: 1.19 lakh — 72,000 of them women
· Kidney disorders: 1.73 lakh
· Liver disorders: Over 30,000 cases
· Respiratory illnesses: 54,000
· Neurological issues: 1.07 lakh
Districts like NTR, Guntur, and Krishna consistently appear in the top ranks across multiple illnesses, underscoring regional health disparities.
The report shows a higher incidence of hypertension and cancer among women. Meanwhile, districts like Prakasam, Kurnool, and Anantapur are seeing a surge in pollution and smoking-related respiratory illnesses like asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Naidu also expressed concern over excessive pesticide usage in agriculture, linking it to rising cancer cases — drawing parallel to Punjab’s “Cancer Belt.” He appealed to farmers to transition toward natural farming practices and announced plans to integrate food and health education into school curricula.
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