By Tricitynews
Chandigarh 24th Dec:- The World Obesity Federation
recognizes obesity as a "chronic, relapsing, progressive disease process,
associated with co morbidities such as diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood
pressure and infertility.”A recent study also linked morbid obesity to 13 types
of cancer. Though India has historically battled malnutrition, the number of
obese people in the country has doubled in the last ten years – and this trend
is pronounced in urban areas. In Urban Haryana, more than one-third of the
population is obese – and this proportion is higher in women! 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
Yashpal Singla, Senior Consultant Advanced Laparoscopic, General, Urology &
Bariatric Surgery Deptt, Geetanjali Hospital Hisar while
interacting with media persons, here in Hisar 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.
Urbanization often leads to sedentary
lifestyles with decreased levels of physical activity and higher consumption of
sugary and fatty food – all of which can contribute to rising levels of
obesity. Dr Yashpal Singla added
that the most common cause of rising incidence of obesity in the region is
sedentary life style and social habits that lead to frequent dining out. There
is an increasing tendency to eat junk food or overeat at buffets. Usually these
large meals are accompanied by high alcohol consumption. Having said that,
obesity is a multifactorial disease and can run in families due to genetic
factors. Such families should take extreme care in their lifestyle and dietary
habits.
Obesity can also affect
children. Dr Singla stressed
that childhood obesity is a growing problem, lack of outdoor activities can
fuel 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 Singla 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 Singla 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
Singla 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
Singla 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 themselves 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 Singla emphasized
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.
