Visakhapatnam Nutritionists thrive as citizens aim to get fit

Visakhapatnam: The New Year resolutions of people to stay healthy and fit, to avoid drugs, and parents stressing on the right diet for their children for good performance in examinations, and on top of it the mushrooming of private hospitals and fitness centres are helping nutritionists to thrive in the port city. Some city-based nutritionists say while only the upper strata of the society used to visit nutritionists for guidance in the past, now even the lower middle class segment is approaching them for diet regulations.

“The demand for nutritionists has risen with more people being health conscious now. People are also approaching us to improve on their looks. Rather investing their money in premiums for health insurance, there are those who go for the right diet prescribed by nutritionists,” aid a city-based nutritionist, Mamta Narang. “Doctors have turned out to be marketers for the pharmaceutical industry. People want to avo-id drugs. Hence, I am seeing a dietician at regular intervals to keep myself healthy with the right diet,” said P. Ganesh, an IT employee said.

Gyms and fitness centres are witnessing a sudden surge in customers. “We generally get new customers in January. Many say they have taken a New Year resolution to stay healthy and fit. Some are not content with the workout at gyms, they are consulting nutritionists,” said a gym trainer, Abhi. Thota Sunita, who consulted a dietician for her elder son, said, “Exams are months away and students have to study for longer hours and perform well to score well. All these can be a daunting task for them. If they eat unhealthy food, they not only fall sick but feel tired as well, and drowsy throughout the day. Eating the right diet helps reduce stress, calms the nerves and keeps the body light and active.”

Besides, the demand for nutritionists in the city could be gauged from the huge rush for seats for MSc programme in Nutrition and Dietetics in Andhra University, though this is a self-finance course. “We had to increase our seat strength from 36 to 46 as many are showing interest. Even though we doubled the fees amount for some seats, all were filled up without delay,” said Dr B.V. Sandeep, Andhra University Biotechnology department head, who is also in-charge of the foods, nutrition and dietetics department.