FAISALABAD (APP): Experts at a seminar on Monday called for steps to combat environmental hazards which creating a lot of problems and causing the spread of diseases.
They were speaking at one-day symposium titled 'One Health' arranged by US-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security, University of Agriculture Faisalabad.
Chairman Pakistan Council for Science and Technology Dr Anwaar-ul-Hassan Gilani chaired the event whereas Philmona from Kenyan Embassy Islamabad, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Punjab Medical College Principal Dr Alfareed Zafar and other notables also participated and spoke on the occasion.
Dr Anwaar-ul-Hassan Gilani said that changing lifestyle, junk food and lack of physical activities were causing obesity that can be called the root cause of many diseases including diabetes and cardiovascular.
Talking about the challenges, he said that plenty of food/high caloric intake, dependence on impure and processed foods, sedentary lifestyle, environmental factors/pollutants and less distance and less time for relaxation and physical activities were posing a serious threat to the people.
Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that the country was producing surplus food for the people, but on the other hand, 40 percent of our population was malnourished.
He said that lack of awareness, affordability issue, unhealthy lifestyle and other factors were provoking malnutrition in the country.
Dr Alfareed Zafar said that the country had emerged as the polio free country. He stressed the need to present oneself for accountability. He said that dengue, and Congo virus were breaking out due to lack of cleanliness.
US Expert Dr Nancy J Allen said such session would help address the issue. She also said that animals are also part of this world which were being ignored.
Dean Faculty of Veterinary Sciences Prof Dr Zafar Iqbal said that such session was aimed at raising the awareness. He said that people must be educated about the healthy lifestyle, and food.