Modern lifestyle proves harmful to women’s health

• Findings from an international report

• Significant rise in women being caught in serious illnesses prematurely

• Impact seen on the health of newborns as well

New Delhi – A recent international report has revealed that modern lifestyle is rapidly becoming detrimental to women’s health. Much like in Western countries, Indian women too are increasingly falling prey to serious illnesses at an early age due to poor diet, stress, physical inactivity, and lack of proper sleep. The consequences are also visible in the health of newborn children. This has been highlighted in a recently published report in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

The study was conducted between 2019 and 2024, covering 25,000 women in the U.S. and Europe, along with women from Indian cities such as Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai.

These are the serious health problems women are facing !

1. Reproductive health issues like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) (a hormone-related disorder) and irregular menstruation have increased to nearly 40% prevalence.

2. In the U.S. and Europe, 15–20% of women aged 18 to 45 are affected by PCOS, with cases rising by 25% in the last five years.

3. Among women in urban areas, especially those dependent on junk food, PCOS prevalence has reached 18%.

4. According to Dr. Amy Johnson, a gynecologist at the University of California, in Western societies PCOS is no longer just a reproductive health problem. Combined with obesity, diabetes, and mental stress, it is turning into a major public health crisis.

Impact of Maternal Lifestyle on the Next Generation

The study also revealed that women’s unhealthy lifestyles directly affect the next generation. Some children of such women were found to have obesity and blood sugar imbalances at birth. Stress and depression during pregnancy impacted the brain development and behavior of their children.

In India, children born to junk food–consuming mothers were observed to have low birth weight and weaker immunity. According to AIIMS pediatrician Dr. Arun Khanna, a mother’s lifestyle forms the foundation of the unborn child’s health.

Editorial Perspective

The report highlights the importance of India’s traditional dietary and lifestyle practices. If Indian women at least adopt these practices, it could ensure healthier lives for them and the coming generations.