Ridding Themselves of Obesity, They Celebrate Life

Global Hospitals organizes day long events to commemorate World Obesity Day

Hyderabad: On the eve of World Obesity Day Global Hospitals Hyderabad organized
day-long programs to celebrate the Day. Various events were organized with patients
who underwent bariatric surgery or who undertook a weight loss program at the hospital.
With the theme Life is a Celebration, Make sure its Inspiring programs such as a health
quiz, fashion show, Global Super Chef Contest and singing and Talent Quest were
organized.
India currently is at the 176th position among all the countries with regard to the number
of obese people. As per official estimate six per cent of our total population is obese.
During the past three decades the number of people with obesity related issues has
doubled from pre-school age children and adolescents. This is alarming and the time has
now come to act else it might be too late, Dr. K Ravindranath, Chairman and Managing
Director, Global Hospitals Group said.
All those who participated in the program today were once morbidly obese patients. But
with the right kind of treatment at the correct time they were able to overcome their
obesity related problems and are currently leading a healthy lifestyle. Also obesity can
lead to other complications and can have dire consequences, he added.
According to the World Health Organization, morbidly obese people are those whose
body mass index (BMI) is above 30 i.e. they are people who need to lose at least 30 to 40
kilos of their body weight to get relief from the negative effects of excess weight and the
medical problems associated with it.
The fundamental cause of obesity and overweight is an energy imbalance between
calories consumed and calories expended. People generally have increased the intake of
energy-dense foods that are high in fat, salt and sugars but low in vitamins, minerals and
other micronutrients. Also there has been a decrease in physical activity due to the
increasingly sedentary nature of many forms of work, changing modes of transportation
and increasing urbanization, Dr. K.S. Lakshmi, Senior Consultant - Minimal Access,
Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery, Global Hospitals, said.
Ideally it is advised to an obese patient cut down the calorie intake by following a
healthy diet and increase the body metabolic rate by exercise like walking, swimming,
cycling, gym, yoga, aerobics, dancing and so on. In spite of this there will be a couple of
people who may not be able to lose large amount of weight or are so physically disabled
by their weight that they cannot do any form of physical activity but still need to lose
weight. These are the people who benefit from a bariatric surgery, she added.
According to Dr. Lakshmi what is even more alarming is that annually 18.2 per cent of
children in the age group of two to 17 years suffer from obesity. Overweight children

have a 70 per cent chance of being overweight or obese adults

and by that time it would be too late to intervene. Also its not
just that the obese children suffer physical problems but their mental health also gets
affected, she said.
Apart from having an internally acknowledged bariatric program, Global Hospitals,
through the Global Obesity Support Group program aims to bring together the Hospitals
specialists and patients currently suffering with obesity and those who have earlier
overcome the problem. The Support Group during its meetings endeavors to help the
patients understand and appreciate the various treatment solutions available to address
obesity in a motivating and encouraging environment.

ABOUT GLOBAL HOSPITALS GROUP, INDIA

One of the fast growing chains of multi super specialty tertiary care Hospitals in India
offering healthcare services of international standards. With over 2000 beds, the Group
currently has state-of the art and world class hospitals at Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore
and Mumbai offering advanced patient care. With the most comprehensive multi-organ
transplant services in the country, the Group has carved out a niche for itself by excelling
in areas ranging from simple procedures to complex surgeries and multi-organ
transplantation services for liver, kidneys, heart and lungs. It has evolved to become a
one-stop healthcare destination for people from across the world.

For further information please contact:

Phalguna Hari Jandhyala, DGM (PR & Media). Global Hospitals, Hyderabad.
Mobile: 8374211066