New Delhi: Childhood obesity is one of the leading and steadily increasing health concerns, experts said on Sunday. With a large segment of the population falling in the younger age group, childhood obesity is a growing concern that could lead to significant health problems in adulthood. Addressing the rising issue of childhood obesity in India, experts emphasise the long-term health risks associated with it and the need for early intervention.
Initiatives like school-based education and healthy meal programs are crucial in managing and preventing obesity. Lifestyle changes remain the primary tool so that adulthood risks can be managed, with bariatric surgery remaining an option for more serious/specific cases.
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Dr. Daksh Sethi, Consultant in Minimal and Bariatric and Robotic Surgery at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, told IANS.
Childhood obesity is a significant problem in our country, given our large young population. Obese children are more likely to become obese adults, facing numerous metabolic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, joint pain, and obstructive sleep apnea.
Dr. Sethi highlighted the importance of school-based initiatives, drawing inspiration from the U.S, where schools track BMI monthly and follow up with families, suggesting a similar approach for India to monitor and manage childhood obesity.
For treatment, Dr. Sethi noted that lifestyle modifications are crucial, with bariatric surgery considered for older children or those with specific conditions.
The impact of early adulthood weight gain on heart health was discussed as well. The main solution remains adopting a balanced diet and regular exercise along with yearly health check ups to prevent long-term cardiovascular issues.
Also Read: 12.5 Million Children, Teens In India Obese In 2022: Lancet Study
Dr. Jyoti Kusnur, Consultant in Interventional Cardiology at Manipal Hospital Goa, told IANS,
Excess weight in early adulthood is closely linked to increased risk of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disorders. It contributes to plaque buildup in arteries, heightening the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Dr. Jyoti advised maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding harmful habits.
Dr. Jyoti said,
Regular health check-ups to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels are vital for early detection and management of potential health issues.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which in its Season 10 is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Ayushmann Khurrana. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In a world post COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental well-being, self-care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
