Mangaluru: In the midst of a growing number of cases of sedentary lifestyle and obesity, the medical fraternity is alarmed with the trend of people, especially youngsters, opting for an unsupervised and unhealthy diet, and self-diagnosis for weight loss.
In an era high on ‘appearance consciousness’, young or old, many in the ‘selfie’ generation are falling victim to ‘quick fix’ diets, while seeking to instantly change their physical appearance.
Many youngsters opt for crash-diet, starvation, zero-carbohydrate diet, steroids and over-training at the gym.
While such shortcuts may bring temporary changes in appearance, it is neither healthy nor effective nor long lasting.
“What many people don’t realise is that, the aggressive dietary restrictions and workout may result in the damage of their internal organs. Options like tummy tucks and plastic surgeries are definitely not treatments for obesity,” said Dr. Rohan Shetty, Surgical Gastroenterologist at A J Hospital.
Studies have shown that without a timely, holistic and medically supervised approach, obesity in the long run, will lead to numerous health issues like blood pressure, heart diseases, heart-stroke, cancer, diabetes, asthma, liver failure, joint aches, orthopedic problems and even infertility among women are not uncommon.
Obesity, an epidemic, is attributed to lifestyle disorder and people’s inability to strike a work-life balance. Further, the condition facilitating obesity enhances due to the replacement of former homemade nutritious protein and fibre rich food with carbohydrate rich junk food. Along with sugar laced beverages, that infuse unnecessary and unspent high calorie content into the human body and a lack of physical activity, the cases of obesity have increased drastically. In fact, obesity among children is not new and is on the rise. Unfortunately, there is a lack of awareness on the matter.
Regrettably, many see obesity as a mere overweight issue and attempts are made to fix it individually. Even at the hospital, in the absence of supervised guidance, confused patients end up wandering through the multiple departments of the hospital corridors to find an obesity related diagnosis.
The newly inaugurated ‘Obesity Clinic’ at A J Hospital, is an attempt at tackling the problem, wherein multiple departments are collectively involved in treating obesity and its related problems. “It was felt that a systematic hand-holding approach was much needed, not only to find a cure for the patients, but also to aid in detection and timely intervention of obesity at an early stage,” Dr. Rohan Shetty added.
At A J Hospital, experts from multiple departments are brought together under one roof and the patients are systematically referred to them. A highly qualified team of physiotherapists, nutritionists, surgical gastroenterologists, medical gastroenterologists and Endocrinologist, study the lifestyle that has lead the patient to obesity. “Many diseases like thyroid conditions, adrenaline problems symptomize obesity, are diagnosed and are treated. After this, the consultant issues a customised dietary chart that the patients have to strictly follow,” Dr. Ashwin Alva, Surgical Gastroenterologist at A J Hospital said.
Unlike those sold in the commercial markets, these diet charts offered by the consultants, are neither exclusive nor expensive, but are carefully curated from the existing food habits of the patients. “For instance, if the patient is habituated to eating chapati or rice, based on the patient’s overall health evaluation, we recommend some modification in the consumption pattern,” Dr Rohan Shetty added.
The diet modifications are based on scientific parameters, by studying the patient’s diet pattern, and removing excess carbohydrates and replacing it with proteins, minerals and a fibrous menu.
Further, the physiotherapy team will guide the patients with lifestyle changes and recommend basic exercise that patients must undergo to overcome the sedentary lifestyle. In addition, with the aid of a blood test, the doctors are also able to detect any possibility of undiagnosed issues that is causing obesity.
“Keeping in mind that patients need constant support and motivation to follow the new pattern, we follow up with them every three to six months, evaluate their health and at the same time, inspire them to sustain their milestones,” Dr. Ashwin Alva said.
According to Dr. Alva, while in cases where the Body-Mass Index (BMI) of a patient is between 25-30 (overweight), basic dietary modification and standard excise routine will suffice. In cases where the BMI of a patient is over and above 30, Bariatric Surgery would be needed. “It’s a standard and latest resort surgical intervention that leaves no scarring or excessive pain, nor does it require long rest. But this helps in bringing down the patient’s weight by 20Kg to 30 Kg in a few months,” he added.
Manager Relations at A J Hospital, B Lidwin D’Souza says, to create awareness on obesity among the general public, ‘Obesity Clinic’ at A J Hospital is at present offering free evaluation for patients. “Simultaneously, the patients in requirement of obesity treatment are also offered various packages at a subsidised cost (No Loss, No Profit model),” she added.
Being a pioneer in super specialized treatments, A J Hospital officials said that they are soon planning to rollout similar services with their partners in the Gulf and Middle Eastern countries.
