What if illnesses once seen after retirement are now hitting people in their 20s and 30s? That is the growing reality in Telangana, where young adults are increasingly facing conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity that can impact their health for decades. With lifestyle habits changing faster than ever, experts say it is time to rethink what we eat and how we live if we want to protect our future health.
A recent survey from Hyderabad shows nearly half of adults over 60 have hypertension, more than one-fourth have diabetes, and 44% are obese. But worryingly, these diseases are now rising sharply in younger age groups too. Early onset means living with chronic conditions for 30 to 40 years, resulting in higher complication risks and long-term treatment challenges.
At the centre of this concerning trend is one major factor: poor diet quality.
“Hyderabad’s dietary patterns, marked by high saturated fat intake and low fibre, combined with increasingly sedentary lifestyles, are accelerating the onset of chronic diseases at younger ages,” said Dr Zeeshan Ali, nutrition scientist with the US-based Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM).
Speaking to more than 750 health sciences students, including medical students at MNR Medical College, Dr Zeeshan Ali emphasized that whole-food, plant-based diets can significantly reduce behavioural and metabolic health risks.
He shared findings from a five-year study on 48 heart disease patients. Those following a low-fat vegetarian diet with mild cardio experienced measurable reversal of artery narrowing — improving 1.75 percentage points in the first year and 3.1 percentage points after five years. In contrast, patients on standard care without dietary changes saw their condition worsen over time.
To reverse Telangana’s rising non-communicable disease burden, Dr Ali called for stronger nutrition education within mainstream medical practice.
“Our general physicians are the first point of contact for most chronic disease patients. Giving them a baseline understanding of evidence-based nutrition ensures they can guide patients with practical and safe advice that truly improves health,” he said.
As the state navigates a growing health crisis affecting both older adults and its youth, experts insist that preventive nutrition could be one of the simplest yet most powerful solutions. Changing what goes on the plate today may decide the long-term health of Telangana tomorrow.
Got questions or experiences to share? Comment below or connect with me on Instagram @samuelmjosh and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-joshua-maddela-ab210b1b9
