By Samachar Vishesh News
Ambala 18th Mar,
2020:- Obesity
is the fastest emerging life-risking disease and the mother of all other
ailments. The 2019 Lancet Commission report has warned that obesity is the
first amongst the three biggest threats to humanity (the other two being under-
nutrition and global warming) yet there is no concrete action plan to stop this
monster. 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.
India is the third most Obese
nation with more than 13.5 Cr people suffering from Obesity surpassed only by
China and the US. Although, these disorders existed in State earlier too, but
in the last one decade, the proportion of population with these conditions has
increased drastically, says Dr.
Anupam Goel (MS) , Advanced Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgeon & Consultant
Paras Hospitals , Panchkula, who sees scores of patients with
obesity related issues every day, he warns that obesity was spiking state’s
burden of “lifestyle diseases”. People with high fasting glucose and high total
cholesterol have more than doubled too.
Dr.
Anupam Goel (MS), Advanced Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgeon & Consultant
Paras Hospitals , Panchkula, while interacting with media
persons, here in Ambala 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 my 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. Anupam Goel responded that the global surveys,
research and studies have all observed that our physical activity is constantly
on the decline whereas the mental activity and stress is continuously on the
rise. The food intake is on the rise with abundant calories but there is no
provision to burn the excess calories in the body. It is possible only by
physical activity. Once obesity sets in all the organs of our body need to
overwork and finally, they fail giving rise to diseases.
Dr.
Anupam Goel added that Obesity is a complex
disease that can impact the physical, mental and socio-economic well-being of
the individuals. Obesity in young women has seen steep increase in trend, 1 in
10 adolescent girls and young women in India are suffering from Polycystic
ovarian disease, leading to many related issues such as delay in menstrual
cycle or no menses and hirsutism features. Weight reduction can help these
young women in reversing the health issues to a great extent. If they are
slightly overweight, they can go ahead with diet and life style Modifications
and exercise but if their BMI goes above 32.5 then we have key hole surgery
option for treating their obesity and related issues.
Dr.
Anupam Goel stressed that Obesity has
been associated with an increase in all-cause mortality rates. According to
reports, this disease which has reached epidemic proportions reduces life
expectancy by 9 years in women and 12 years in men, studies show 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. Anupam Goel 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 my
practice, He has 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. Anupam Goel 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.
Anupam Goel 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.
Anupam Goel 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.
Goverment is very serious about tackling this epidemic through initiatives
like Ayushman Bharat and #FitIndiaMovement. He informed that in
a major relief for those suffering from obesity-related co morbidities,
insurance cover is now provided for obesity treatment as per medical advice.
Insurance will cover medically advised treatment as per new IRDAI regulation
effective October 2020. He said 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.
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