With Theme ‘Transform For Better’ A J Hospital Launches Coastal Region’s First ‘OBESITY CLINIC’
Mangaluru: Obesity is a new age health disorder which has attained epidemic proportion in the world and causing a huge socio-economic burden on the society. It is the reason for lot of health problems such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, joint problems and cancer. Obesity is a condition in which a person has excess body fat. More than just a number on a scale or the size of someone’s body, obesity can increase a person’s risk of diseases and health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. It is a complex problem and a major public health concern, both in India and worldwide.
AJ Hospital through its Surgical Gastroenterology Department launched an exclusive Obesity Clinic on Saturday, the 19th January, 2019, which is first of its kind in the Coastal Region, which exclusively caters to the needs of obese population for transforming their lives. The Obesity Clinic at A J Hospital comprises of a multi-disciplinary team of Bariatric Surgeons Dr. Rohan Shetty and Dr. Ashwin Alva, Gastroenterologists Dr. B. Shivaprasad and Dr. Raghavendra Prasada, Endocrinologist Dr. Ganesh H K, Dietician, Psychologist, Physiotherapist. It will be a state of the art clinic dealing with detail evaluation, medical and surgical treatment and rehabilitation. AJ Hospital has always been in the forefront of upgrading facilities to meet the demands of healthcare needs and with the launch of Obesity Clinic has added one more feather to the crown.
The programme began with a prayer, followed by welcome address by Dr Prashanth Marla- Medical Director, A J Hospital and Research Centre, Mangaluru, where he also gave a brief description of Obesity and its symptoms. The programme was inaugurated by lighting of the lamp by Dr Amar Vennapusa-Chief Consultant, Biriatric and Metabolic Surgeon at Dr Amar Bariatric & Metabolic Centre, Hyderabad, along with chief guest Dr A J Shetty-Chairman, AJ Group of Institutions; Dr Ashok Hegde- Dean, AJHRC; Dr Ashwin Alva-Consultant Endocrinologist, Dr Ganesh H K-Consultant Endocrinologist, both at AJHRC; Dr Rohan Shetty- Consultant Surgical Gastroenterologist; and Prashanth Shetty- Vice President, Laxmi Memorial Educational Trust, Mangaluru.
Elaborating on ” Obesity Clinic”by Dr Rohan Shetty, and “Medical Management of Obesity” by Dr Ganesh H K, through audio-video presentation, where they both said ” Obesity is usually defined using a ratio of height to weight called body mass index (BMI), which often correlates with a person’s level of body fat. According to the CDC, an adult with a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese. However, some doctors and researchers suggest that using BMI alone may not be the best screening tool for obesity and a better approach may be to take into account a person’s physical, mental and functional health”.
“At a fundamental level, obesity occurs when people regularly eat and drink more calories than they use. Besides a person’s eating behavior, a number of factors can contribute to obesity, including a lack of physical activity, a lack of sleep, genetics and the use of certain medications that can cause weight gain or water retention, such as corticosteroids, antidepressants or some seizure medications. Modern culture and conveniences also, in part, contribute to obesity. Environmental factors that promote obesity include: Over-sized food portions, busy work schedules with little time for an active lifestyle, limited access to healthy foods at supermarkets, easy access to fast food and lack of safe places for physical activity ” added Dr Rohan Shetty.
Dr Ganesh H K said, “Certain health conditions also can lead to weight gain, including: Hypothyroidism, an under-active thyroid gland that slows metabolism and causes fatigue and weakness. PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome, which affects up to 10 percent of women of childbearing age and can also lead to excess body hair and reproductive problems. Cushing’s syndrome, which stems from overproduction of the hormone cortisol by the adrenal glands and is characterized by weight gain in the upper body, face and neck “.
“Obesity increases the risk of developing a number of potentially serious health problems, including: Coronary heart disease, High blood pressure, Stroke Type 2 diabetes, Some cancers (breast, colon, endometrial, gallbladder, kidney, and liver), Sleep apnea, High LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, or high levels of triglycerides, Gallstones, Osteoarthritis, Infertility or irregular periods Besides its physical consequences, obesity may also take an emotional toll: Some people with obesity experience depression, feelings of social isolation, discrimination and an overall lower quality of life” added Dr Ganesh.
Addressing the audience on the topic “Metabolic Surgery-an Overview Dr Amar Vennapusa said, “Is obesity a disease? Whether or not obesity should be considered a “disease” (or an abnormal state) is a matter of debate. In a discussion, the decision was meant to improve access to weight loss treatment, reduce the stigma of obesity and underscore the fact that obesity is not always a matter of self-control and willpower. Regarding Treatment-To achieve a healthy weight and adopt healthier eating habits, people may need to see several health professionals, including a dietitian, behavioral therapist, exercise physiologist and obesity expert. Working with a diverse team of health experts can help people make long-term changes in their eating and exercise habits and develop strategies to address any emotional and behavioral issues that may lead to weight gain and unhealthy lifestyle habits”.
“Healthy eating and exercises can prevent obesity. Eat right food, quality first and quantity next. Physical activities also help in preventing Obesity. Although there are lots of fad diets, such short-term dietary changes are not the best way to keep weight off permanently. Instead, people should aim to make long-term changes, such as eating healthy on a regular basis, and boosting daily physical activity. Behavior changes, such as understanding what stresses or situations may contribute to overeating and learning to modify these behaviors, are also important for achieving weight-loss goals. Even small amounts of weight loss — such as 5 to 10 percent of your total body weight — can have health benefits” added Dr Amar.
While concluding Dr Amar said, “For people who are still severely obese after attempting to lose weight through diet and exercise, other treatments, such as bariatric surgery, may be an option. Bariatric surgery — an operation to make the stomach smaller — is recommended for people with a BMI of 40 or more, or if they have a serious health problem related to their obesity and have a BMI of 35 or more. Other treatment options for obesity include certain prescription and over-the-counter medications that curb appetite, but can cause side effects, such as cramping, diarrhea, headaches, dizziness and nausea, according to the Mayo Clinic. Weight loss medication should be used along with diet and exercise to help people lose weight, and some weight loss medications are only intended for short-term use”. Dr Amar also showed a few photos of his family members who had lost obesity, including his dad, mother-in-law and brother-in-law. (See photos in the article)
In his presidential address Dr A J Shetty said, “Our hospital is a leading advanced tertiary healthcare center of India, specialized and providing service to more than 30 major medical disciplines, embracing new technologies to offer high level healthcare that matches the best in the country. The hospital is located amidst sylvan surroundings in a sprawling 30-acre campus. It is designed and built according to the international standards to provide world class healthcare. A modern facility boasting of the latest in equipment and infrastructure, the hospital is headed by a dedicated team of highly qualified and experienced doctors, supported by a professional cadre of trained nursing, paramedical staff and hospital administrative staff. With the vision of ‘Quality Health Care for all’, the hospital provides a perfect match between patient needs and medical facilities, delivering quality healthcare at an affordable cost. A J Hospital & Research Centre ensures continues quality assurance program and the first in the region to achieve `the coveted NABH accreditation for QCI’. I am happy to note that this Obesity Clinic is added to our credits”.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr Ashwin Alva, and the programme was compered by Dr Samreen Jaffar-General Surgery, A J Hospital. The marketing department of A J Hospital under the leadership of Shivaprasad Shetty- the Manager, and his team had done a great job in organizing this event. Kudos!
