By Tricitynews
Ludhiana, February
14th, 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.
K. S. Kular (M.S.) (Laparoscopic Surgery Specialist & Director, Kular
Hospitals Pvt Ltd, 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.
K. S. Kular (M.S.) (Laparoscopic Surgery Specialist & Director, Kular
Hospitals Pvt Ltd, while interacting with media persons,
here in Ludhiana 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 Kular 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. K. S. Kular 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.
K. S. Kular 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. K.S. Kular 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.
K.S. Kular 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. K.S. Kular 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. K.S. Kular 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 Multi sectoral 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. K.S. Kular 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.
