THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As part of its broader efforts to help fight lifestyle diseases among various age groups, Kerala Health Department It is set Body weight index (BMI) Unit at the Office of the Director of Health here. The unit, which helps measure body weight and height and calculate BMI, has been set up on a pilot basis.
Health Minister Veena George said that BMI is an internationally accepted screening tool and the newly set up unit will help individuals find their fitness on their own.
If the project is successful, BMI units will be set up in all institutions, factories and workplaces across the state, she said.
Mental stress, food habits and lack of proper diet are among the factors that trigger lifestyle diseases, she said, adding that people can take preventive measures after assessing their fitness and calculating BMI through such units.
It is noted that the Department of Health Making elaborate efforts to fight lifestyle diseases, the minister said that all people above 30 years of age are being screened by health workers visiting their homes across the state.
Free diagnosis and treatment are provided by the department to those who need it, she said, adding that a BMI unit was set up to conduct self-assessment of fitness as part of the mission, the minister said.
“In the last six weeks since the launch of this campaign, more than 8.50 lakh people have been screened at home for lifestyle diseases,” George added.
