National Conference on Obesity Management at Gem Hospital

Gem Hospitals and Gem Obesity & Diabetes Surgery Centre organized the 4th Edition of Obesicon- a MultiModality approach to treat Obesity ; on 14.7.2019 in the Gem Hospital Auditorium. This conference was attended by more than 250 delegates from all over the country. Dr. Praveen Raj, Director of GEM Hospital & Research Centre Inaugurated this Conference. 

Addressing the gathering, Dr Praveen Raj said that “As everyone knows that there is no single or simple solution to the obesity epidemic. It’s a complex problem and it’s being ignored in our country for long.  Latest research findings shows that Indian women are more likely to be obese than their male counterparts. There were 20 million obese women in India in 2014 compared with 9.8 million obese men, according to a study published in the British medical journal, the Lancet. 

Severe obesity was observed in an additional 4 million Indian women. India saw a more significant rise in obesity from its 19th position for both men and women in 1975 to rankings 5th and 3rd respectively in 2014, reflecting increasing obesity rates among women worldwide. Obesity is not just a weight issue. Obesity is a disease and is responsible for serious medical, social, psychological, and economic implications, affecting all ages and socioeconomic groups. Overweight and obesity are major risk factors for a number of chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

Latest research report shows that obesity increases  the risk of many cancers like cancers of the colon and rectum, pancreas, thyroid, gallbladder, oesophagus, gastric cardia, liver, kidney, ovary, endometrium of the uterus, breast in postmenopausal women, meningioma and multiple myeloma.A study of almost 4 million people from 32 countries showed that being overweight  increases the risk of dying early, compared to people with a healthy weight. This is usually defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of between 18.5 and 24.9. 

There is no single or simple solution to the obesity epidemic. It’s a complex problem and there has to be a multifaceted approach. Policy makers, state and local organizations, business and community leaders, school, childcare and healthcare professionals, and individuals must work together to create an environment that supports a healthy lifestyle.”