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@article{187873,
        author = {Isha Chakraborty and SATADAL MALLIK and VIVEK KUMAR},
        title = {THE IMPACT OF FOOD HABITS AND LIFE STYLE OF URBAN AND RURAL CONSUMERS ON CARDIOLOGY RELATED ILLNESS},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {12},
        number = {6},
        pages = {7259-7280},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=187873},
        abstract = {cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have steadily emerged as one of the most critical public health challenges across the globe, particularly in countries experiencing rapid urbanization and economic transition such as India. While the causes of heart disease are multifactorial, dietary behaviours and lifestyle choices remain key modifiable risk factors that significantly influence its incidence and progression [1]. The objective of this study is to investigate how food habits and lifestyle patterns among urban and rural consumers contribute to the growing prevalence of cardiology-related illness. It compares the behavioural health risks, diet types, and lifestyle profiles of urban and rural individuals and explores the socio-environmental contexts that shape these habits.
In the context of India, the urban population has increasingly adopted Westernized dietary patterns, which include the regular consumption of fast foods, refined sugars, saturated fats, and highly processed meals. These patterns are often accompanied by a sedentary lifestyle due to desk-based occupations, reduced physical activity, and increased reliance on motorized transport [2]. Urban lifestyles also involve higher exposure to work-related stress, irregular sleep cycles, and elevated use of stimulants such as caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol. These variables combine to heighten the risk of heart-related conditions among urban consumers [3].
However, the assumption that rural populations are less prone to CVD is increasingly challenged by new evidence indicating the onset of a nutrition transition in rural areas [4]. Additionally, limited access to healthcare services, lack of awareness about early symptoms, and poor diagnostic infrastructure result in delayed detection and treatment of cardiovascular issues in rural settings [5].
This study employed a mixed-method approach, collecting primary data through structured questionnaires from 100 individuals—50 urban and 50 rural—spanning different professions, age groups, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Secondary data from international and national health journals were also integrated to strengthen the analysis. The Chi-square test was used to identify statistically significant differences in health outcomes between the two population groups.These early indicators of cardiovascular risk were often overlooked until they developed into more serious conditions [6].
Another key finding is the psychological aspect of lifestyle. Urban respondents expressed more frequent feelings of work pressure, anxiety, irregular sleep, and lack of time for exercise. These stressors are known contributors to endothelial dysfunction, which is a precursor to atherosclerosis and cardiac problems [7]. However, lifestyle diseases were on the rise among educated rural youth, especially those exposed to urban environments through education or media. These individuals were more likely to experiment with high-calorie diets, tobacco use, and alcohol, even in settings where such behaviours were traditionally uncommon [8].},
        keywords = {cardiovascular disease, urban lifestyle, rural health, food habits, physical activity, non-communicable diseases, health disparities, nutrition transition.},
        month = {November},
        }