CHANDIGARH: The Association for the Study of Obesity (ASO), a non – profit and apolitical NGO was launched here today. Committed to bringing awareness about obesity and initiating measures to control it, the launch ceremony was marked by a free health camp, free registration of obese public and an Exhibition on Obesity held at the Press Club.

Inaugurating the association, Advocate general Punjab  HS Mattewal appreciated the initiative taken, and congratulated the governing body members. He emphsized the need for recognizing obesity as a disease and expressed hope that punjab government and ASO would work together for the control of obesity. On the occasion, he announced that the  chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal had sanctioned a donation of rupees two lacs to the study of obesity, chandigarh, from his discretionary fund for the noble cause.

The Guest of Honor, Prof. R.C. Sobti, Vice-Chancellor Punjab University pointed out that the prevalence of obesity was on the rise in society. He stressed on the need for people  to regularly exercise and preffered cycling over car whenever possible. While answering questions from the Press, he stated that punjab university was first to ban smoking on the campus and maintained that consideration will be given to banning junk food in the campus, while replying to  query. He expressed full support qnd co-operation to the association for the study of obesity.

“Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally, with more than 1 billion overweight adults and at least 300 million clinically obese which contribute mainly to the global burden of chronic diseases and disability often co-existing with under-nutrition in developing countries like ours makes it a complex issue with serious social and psychological dimensions effecting virtually all ages and socio-economic groups,” said Dr Navin C. Raina, Laparoscopic Surgeon  at Fortis Hospital and the coordinator of the Association.

He asserted that obesity is a menace in society which culminates in a condition called metabolic syndrome – comprising of type II diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and hypertension and eventually progresses to life threatening coronary artery disease and the disabling condition of degenerative joint diseases.

Interestingly, Asians are more susceptible to metabolic syndrome with a lower Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) – calculations based on height and weight. A BMI of 23-24 for Asians is comparable with that of 25-29 for Europeans. With addition of 1 kg weight over the estimated normal, the risk of Cardio-vascular disease increases by 3.1 per cent and with reduction of 1 kg, survival is increases by 3-4 months. Also with reduction of 10 kgs weight the fasting blood sugar is expected to fall by 30-50 per cent with 90 per cent reduction in Angina (chest pain due to heart ischemia), 10-20 per cent reduction in Blood Pressure and finally decrease in overall mortality by 20-25 per cent.

“Choice lies with public in whether they wish to eat carefully and spend on healthcare early or after falling prey to various disabling and life threatening conditions. Society could be free of many obesity related diseases if we accept obesity as a serious medical condition requiring active management. It is important to look at obesity as a disease and do everything possible to rid one’s self of it, asserted Dr Raina.

If the trend of the emerging figures on obesity prevalence particularly in the Urban population remains unchecked, India would shortly be the Diabetes capital of the world with estimated 84 per cent of the population living in Urban areas as against 61.1. per cent in the rest of the world by 2025.
Col. B.S Sandhu, Chairman WWICS and Member Governing body of ASO, emphasized the need to become aware about the implications of obesity. Having lived in Canada and studied and interacted with various NGO’s there, he informed that people of North America are gradually moving towards more calorie conscious healthy diet rather than consuming calorie rich food.

Talking about childhood obesity, Dr Raina pointed out that enough scientific evidence was available to suggest that the process of thickening of blood vessels (atherosclerosis) starts when one is young. “Obesity in childhood adds to the process and diabetes appears early. Nutrition transition, economic growth, modernization, urbanization and globalization of food markets world wide contribute to the rising prevalence of obesity. Besides genetic playing some role, it is often the type and quantity of food consumed by children, automated transport and passive leisure pursuits which contribute to childhood obesity,” he said.

In a study conducted to assess prevalence of obesity amongst affluent adolescent school children in Amritsar , out of 640 children evaluated the prevalence of overweight and obesity amongst them was found to be high, and even higher than some industrialized countries.

We intend to fight the menace of obesity and to begin we have adopted the tri-city where we would begin to work, shortly. With the type of motivated people associated with our organization and the encouragement we have got from the authorities, I am sure we will be able to achieve our goals. We plan to launch “ASOC – obesity website for free registration and counseling of obese patients, declared Dr Raina.

Earlier Dr KM Kapoor Plastic Surgeon Fortis Hospital had welcomed the dignitaries. Dr. A.K. Attri, Prof and HOD Surgery, GMCH, Chandigarh , proposed the vote of thanks.