"A whopping 15% of India's 1.1 billion population is morbidly obese. This alarming problem of obesity is multifaceted. Erratic lifestyles, genetic conditions, hormonal as well as complex psychological factors are responsible. This unrecognized disorder requires a multidimensional approach towards corrective action. With a single-minded purpose of creating awareness about this seeping life-long problem of obesity Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital conducted a  Unique Anti Obesity and Anti Overweight Drive.

 

As a part of the Obese No More campaign, a citywide Public Awareness Anti-Obesity and Over Weight Drive was successfully conducted from 8^th to 15^th July 2006. This campaign was supported by Awareness Camps that conducted check ups on BMI (Body Mass Index), WHR (Waist Hip Ratio), Body Fat Percentage, Blood Pressure, Diabetes checkup, Lipid profiling all at subsidized rates. These obesity awareness programs were held at various locations including Powai, Khar and Churchgate. Free of cost OPD consultations was provided by top-of-line physicians throughout the campaign. These included Dr. Muffazal Lakdawala (renowned Bariatric Surgeon), Dr. S M Bandookwala (Renowned Endocrinologist), Dr. Jukar (Sports Medicine Consultant), Dr. Sunita Goel (Anaesthetist) and Ms. Payal Batra (Nutritionist). Hiranandani Hospital plans to turn Obese No More into an annual campaign.

 

This first of its kind campaign "OBESE NO MORE" included the introduction of the country's first Obesity Support Group. Hiranandani Hospital, within a short period of being operational has already achieved major milestones in obesity management including more than fifty successful cases treated with Bariatric surgery and laproscopy. Encouraged by the success rate, Hiranandani Hospital desires to reach out and extend more support and awareness to the general public.

 

"Obesity is just seen as a consequence of urban lifestyle and not as a health related issue", Dr. Sujit Chatterjee commenced the Program on this note. Dr Muffazal Lakdawala, eminent Bariatric Surgeon explained the entire procedure of the Bariatric surgery. He stated that India has taken a center stage in Medicine. They treat so many patients who are the non-Indians as well, that's how the country is also represented abroad. These are some of the issues the medical fraternity is still dealing with.

 

One of the panelists Dr. Sharita Shah, Psychiatrist, Hiranandani Hospital, discussed various reasons why people are putting on weight, for instance, often one of the causes of obesity amongst women is mental stress due to which women keep munching on food to find solace. Also modern lifestyle patterns and eating junk food are some of the factors responsible for increasing the statistic of overweight amongst adolescents.

 

"Imagine a person with a weight of over 180 kgs. Not only is he suffering from obesity but also from a host of related complications such as heart disease, diabetes, orthopedic problems, blood pressure, respiratory problems and so on. How do you save this person from this morbid condition, considering the practical issues in treatment ranging from anesthesia to various surgical procedures? Various unexpected problems crop up after the treatments as well due to the long ranging effects of the previous disease. "We would like the people to be more aware of the severity and complexity of Obesity and the right approach to its treatments. We hope to reach out to maximum people through this campaign," said Dr. Sujit Chatterjee, CEO Hiranandani Hospital and Convener of Obese No More Campaign.

Sourced From : CeePee Communications