Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 2: The Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) today expressed concern on World Asthma Day over the rising number of asthma cases in the Kashmir valley.
In a statement issued here, the DAK President Dr Nisar ul Hassan linked the spike in asthma cases to air pollution and fast food consumption.
Dr Nisar stated that air quality in the valley has been deteriorating due to increased construction, vehicles, brick kilns, cement and other factories that emit pollutants into the air.
He further highlighted that a study published in the British Medical Journal found that children exposed to higher levels of environmental pollutants are more likely to develop asthma compared to those who were not exposed.
“The research also showed that for every 5µg-per-cubic-meter increase in concentrations of air pollutants, there was about a 4 or 5% increase in asthma,” he said.
Dr Nisar further pointed out that fast food consumption is also linked to the rise in asthma cases.
“A study revealed that children and teenagers who consume fast food more than three times a week are nearly 40% more likely to develop asthma,” he said adding fast food has replaced homemade meals in Kashmir over the years, with children and teenagers often consuming fast foods like burgers, pizzas, French fries and noodles.
The DAK President stressed the urgent need to control environmental pollution to save people, especially the younger generation, from the disease, while urging the parents to encourage their children to eat healthy and avoid fast foods.
Follow our WhatsApp channel