Our CorrespondentDoraha, May 27
A two-day free comprehensive body mass composition checkup and dietary guidance camp was organised at the weight loss centre of Sidhu Hospital, Doraha, recently.
As many as 250 patients were examined at the camp. Dr Harbans Singh Sidhu, Managing Director of Sidhu Hospital, inaugurated the camp.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Gurdip Singh Sidhu, Director and Chief of Surgery, Sidhu Hospital, Doraha, who has received advanced training in the latest laparoscopic operations for morbid obesity from University Hospital Innbuck, Australia, said obesity is a serious health condition. He told a person is considered obese when he/she weighs 20 per cent or more than his ideal body weight obesity becomes morbid when it significantly increases the risk of one or more obesity-related health conditions or serious diseases also known as co-morbidities. Dr Sidhu said like height and weight, everybody should know his BMI (Body Mass Index ) and control it before it causes health problems. He said obesity related health problems reduce life expectancy apart from presenting the person with numerous negative, social, psychological and economic effects.
‘‘People who are obese become resident to insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels. They end up with high blood sugar, which causes type 2 diabetes. Also , the heart does not work properly when the body is carrying around excess weight. So an obese person usually gets high blood pressure (Hypertension) which leads to strokes and damages the heart and kidneys further effecting prostrate uterus and colon obesity further leads to osteoarthritis of weight bearing joints, sleep apnea, respiratory problems, gastroesophagral refuse disease, problems gastroesophagral refuse disease, depression, infertility, urinary stress inconstinance and menstural irregularities.’’
Chief nutritionist of the hospital, Ms Amardip Kaur, warned that obesity reflects changes in behavioral pattern, including decreased physical activity and over consumption of high fat, energy-dense foods. She said affluence is taking a toll on children’s health, as a study conducted in Delhi schools has indicated that every 15th school going child in the high or high middle class income group, is obese. The study cautions that these children are prone to hypertension, diabetes, coronary and mortality during adult life. Childhood obesity should not be allowed to develop as these obese children will ultimately turn into obese adults.
Students and teachers of Sidhu Hospital made audiovisual presentations regarding dangers and way of prevention of obesity. Patients, enrolled in the weight loss programme, during this camp were given special concessions.
