Life-span of human beings, not exactly determined, is more at present times than before, thanks to both advances in medical field and comprehension of its link with diet as well as lifestyle. Desiring to live long, say beyond 80s and 90s, without any health issues and following a disciplined lifestyle as well as moderation in food consumption are different kettles of fish. The age of 40 years seems to mark changes in respect of one’s health and start showing even as the role of diet and exercise is bestowed acceptance for staying free from aches and pains that bug the elderly. Fear of getting knocked down by one illness or the other and also likely to die soon haunts as one reaches the age of perilous 60s and 70s. Residents of cities, unlike their rustic counterparts, have brought upon themselves a lifestyle of stress, apart from creating conditions in their living space that threaten their health in no small way. Commuting in motorised vehicles, thus giving up walking, the simplest exercise and consuming food without a care for its ill-effects on wellness are their undoing.

Anthropologists have opined that homo-sapiens, now extinct, existed as far back as 2.1 million years from now while upright human being on planet Earth has a history of about 2,00,000 years. Although motorised transport has a history of about 120 years, it has severely interfered with walking as an integral part of daily life of people while it has earned the distinction as an exercise for staying healthy.

As if an irony of modern life, urbanites conscious of their health to be derived by walking are struggling to safeguard both land area in cities exclusively for walking and, more importantly, lung space enough for ambient air quality to remain in prescribed range with respect to pollutants such as carbon-di-oxide, particulate matter, nitrogen compounds and other obnoxious components. Further, officially reducing open space in cities such as Bengaluru to less than 20 per cent, compared to the minimum of 25 per cent has hurt health of the citizens significantly. Same semblance of awareness about damage control of ill-health-causing actions taking place unabated, urbanites are turning to yoga, meditation and consuming organic foods, apart from taking to jogging as a fad, although by a small fraction in the urban population.

A report based on studies by a research team at the Norwegian School of Sport Science, published recently suggests that all physical activity counts for longer and better quality of life with the message that people who get a small amount of exercise are less likely to die prematurely than their more sedentary counterparts, with the bottom line: Sit less. Also, administration’s inputs into keeping the environs, like in Mysuru, free from pollution of air, water and food can contribute to longevity of citizens.