The Karnataka Police have put personnel who have pot bellies and higher body mass index (BMI) on a strict diet and fitness regime.
A circular issued by the Additional General of Police of the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) Bhaskar Rao stated that all police personnel has to work hard to become fitter to have a healthier lifestyle.
7,000 out of 10,000 KSRP personnel have higher BMI.
According to reports, in 2017 alone there were over 100 deaths of police due to lifestyle diseases like diabetes and heart attack.
“KSRP personnel are on standby most of the time for combat operations. And 70 per cent of them have pot bellies today and that has to change. They earlier used to eat rice thrice a day and now we are giving them millets like Ragi and Jowar. The police personnel used to smoke and drink a lot. That has to stop too,” said Bhaskar Rao.
Rao who himself is a fitness freak had cycled across Karnataka with other police personnel to promote good health. He said that the families of police have supported the move as they too want their family members to be healthy.
Police personnel has been warned to follow a strict diet. If one fails to reduce weight over the next few months, disciplinary action would be initiated. “If one does not follow the healthier regime they won’t be sent on tour, they won’t receive incentives like daily allowance,” added Rao.
In every KSRP campus, the process of calculating BMI has started and yoga and other exercises have been introduced. Police are divided into four groups depending on their age and they are also given counseling and exercise tips. By India Today
