By Samachar Vishesh News
Bhatinda 20th Mar,
2020:- India faces major health challenge from “obesity in young” and
unless this rapidly spreading epidemic is not checked in time, it will continue
to predispose to a host of related disorders like Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus,
hypertension, heart disease, sleep apnea,
infertility and lipid disorders. A recent study also linked morbid obesity to 13 types of cancer.
In Punjab more than 37% percent of
population is either overweight or obese and their body-mass index (BMI) is
high. Although, these disorders existed in State earlier too, in the last one
decade, the proportion of population with these conditions has increased
drastically, says Dr. Amit Sood (MS), Bariatric Surgeon & Director Ckosmic
Surgical Centers, who sees scores of patients with
obesity related issues every day, he warns that obesity was spiking Punjab's
burden of “lifestyle diseases”. People with high fasting glucose and high total
cholesterol have more than doubled too. India is the 3rd
most obese nation with more than 13.5 cr people suffering from Obesity,
surpassed only by China and the US.
Dr. Amit Sood, while interacting
with media persons, here in Bathinda explained that why obesity should not be
taken lightly. He said that obesity is a complex disease that can impact the
physical, mental and socio-economic well-being of the individual. In his
clinical experience, obesity in women is associated with depression. This can
fuel a vicious cycle – if you don’t feel good, you eat comfort food.
Unfortunately, the impact is not only devastating for the individual but also
for their personal life – increasingly, obese patients are reporting marital
problems that even lead to divorce.
Asked if anything could be done to
address this health risk, Dr. Amit Sood responded that: “Acceptance
is the key”, it was necessary to accept that the overweight we have is not
“healthy” as many people refuse to accept that they are overweight or obese.
“Second,” he said that we have to accept that we are eating more than what we
are spending. Creating a balance between calorie intake and expenditure,
coupled with lifestyle changes could help reverse the grossly flipping weighing
scales. Dr. Amit Sood added that Obesity is a complex disease that
can impact the physical, mental and socio-economic well-being of the
individual. Obesity in women is associated with depression. This can fuel a
vicious cycle – if you don’t feel good, you eat comfort food. Unfortunately,
the impact is not only devastating for the individual but also for their
personal life – increasingly, obese patients are reporting marital problems
that even lead to divorce.
Dr. Amit Sood stressed that,
while a significant population of men & women in the state are either
overweight or obese, a recent study has shown that young children are also
falling prey to this health disorder. Lack of outdoor activities is
fueling childhood obesity. These days, children are given mobile phones and laptops which
they may find more entertaining than playing outside. Not only does this lead
to the risk of obesity, but also to Vitamin D deficiency – which is a risk
factor for both obesity and diabetes.
Despite the consequences of leaving
obesity untreated, obese patients do not always consult a medical professional.
Dr. Amit Sood observed that in the Indian scenario, more than 60% of
individuals wait more than 6-10 years to seek out medically sound weight-loss
procedures. Usually such patients are diagnosed with two or more co
morbidities, such as diabetes. In his practice, he have observed a rapid rise
in the incidence of infertility, depression, NAFLD, kidney failure, cancers,
sleep apnea and heart attacks in patients.
Obesity treatment plans aim to limit
weight gain, and eventually help patients reach and stay at a healthy weight.
Treatment plans usually include diet and lifestyle recommendations, medications
and bariatric surgery for eligible patients. Dr. Amit Sood explained that when
obesity is treated effectively, many co morbid diseases also show improvement.
For instance, bariatric surgery is proven to help control Type 2 Diabetes in obese patients
and other co morbidities, which helps reduce mortality.
Dr. Amit Sood pointed out that
patients can proactively consult a physician to understand whether they are
eligible for bariatric surgery – before problems develop, most patients seek
bariatric consultation when they develop Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea or when
they are refused a knee replacement surgery by an orthopaedician. But with
increasing awareness about the role bariatric surgery can play in controlling
obesity and diabetes, patients can proactively seek medical advice before their
conditions worsen. Once there is a steady and uncontrolled weight gain, it is
best to consult a medical expert who can help identify the cause and advise
corrective measures.
Dr. Amit Sood added that
Worldwide, of the four million deaths attributed to excess body weight in 2015,
nearly 40% occurred among those whose body mass index (BMI) was above the
threshold of obesity, i.e., 30 or above. Stigma associated with Obesity
leads to patients not seeking the right treatment and blaming them for the
condition, obesity is a Disease which needs treatment by obesity specialist,
and government is also taking it seriously and taking strong steps to halt the
increasing incidence. The National Multisectoral Action Plan for prevention and
control of common NCDs. NMF. National Monitoring Framework Ayushman Bharat and
Fit India Moment are namely the main ones.
To help ensure that severe obesity is
treated with proven methods, insurance coverage of obesity treatment is a key
policy step. Dr. Amit Sood that in his experience, many patients avoid seeking obesity treatment
due to financial concerns. Some even question whether they should spend money
on a ‘cosmetic’ need. Obesity is a serious medical condition. Covering its
treatment with insurance would cement awareness and encourage many patients to
seek appropriate medical treatment. He
also informed that Insurance also
now treats obesity treatment as per medical advice for morbidly obese.
Insurance will cover medically advised treatment as per new IRDAI regulation and all policies
will have to comply from October 2020 onwards.
