Dr. Dinesh Barot – State Programme Officer – Health & Wellness Cell, Commissionerate of Health, Gandhinagar, Mandira Bedi, Dr. Mohit Bhandari, Dr. Shashank Shah and Dr. Manish Khaitan discussed the how society needs to understand obesity as a DISESASE and not as a personal failing at IIM Ahmedabad Campus

On Anti-Obesity Day, IIM Ahmedabad’s Healthcare Club Panacea organized a unique one- of- its-kind Anti-Obesity and Fitness Conclave for #IndiaFightsObesity movement. The event was motivated by PM Modi’s #FitIndiaMovement where the best of minds gathered to deliberate on how society needs to stop stigmatizing Obesity and treating it as a behavioral abnormality. The problem of weighing more than one should has many factors, including certain genes where the implications are not just biological but also physiological, environmental, societal and cultural. The fight against obesity needs gutsy will as it is not just about how many people are overweight or obese. The gathering pledged for a fitter India movement and wage a war against Obesity.

India is a big country, and it is getting larger. As the 3rd most obese nation with more than 13.5 cr people suffering from Obesity, surpassed only by China and the US, the country needs to be cognizant on how it spends its scarce resources. 73% of urban Indians are overweight, that is 3 out of 4 people and a recent Lancet report quotes that 34% of India’s population is insufficiently active. What is even more alarming is that millions of youngsters and millennials are battling medical conditions and complications that arise from obesity – such as hypertension, sleep apnea, diabetes (India has 80 million diabetics), joint problems, heart disease, respiratory issues and certain cancers. Not to forget, the implications of the incalculable emotional cost attached to it. For decades, obesity epidemic has been treated as fad diet. The conclave aimed to bring about a paradigm shift in how obesity has been perceived and treated, as well challenge the established notions.

Mandira Bedi – anchor turned fitness enthusiast led the discussion to raise awareness on causes and preventive tips for obesity and related complications. Leading experts from the field of obesity and wellness were present and the keynote speaker was none other than the Dr. Dinesh Barot – State Programme Officer – Health & Wellness Cell, Commissionerate of Health, Gandhinagar.  He highlighted how obesity has led to an immense increase in the mortality rates across the nation – nearly reducing life expectancy by 9 years in women and 12 years in men. He congratulated regulators especially the insurance regulatory body (IRDAI) which recently included bariatric or weight-loss surgery under insurance and called it a “revolutionary step for a fitter India”. Supporting the cause were leading obesity specialist Dr. Mohit Bhandari, famous Indian body builder Sonali Swami, IIM (A) Professor Rajesh Chandwani, leading diabetes surgeon Dr Shashank Shah and CEO NoObesity Dr Manish Khaitan. 

Mandira Bedi tested fitness quotient of the audience by challenging them to stand on one leg with their eyes closed, interestingly most of those present were not able to stand for more than a minute. While many saw the shared a laugh, it also made them question their fitness and look for better health guidance. Ms. Bedi strongly impressed upon the attending audience, the importance of looking for right treatments at the right time. 

Most of the people not only blame themselves for Obesity, but also battle societal stigma. It is high time that one understands Obesity is a disease which needs treatment by a specialist. Even the government has taken a serious note of this epidemic and has ensured strong measures. The National Multisectoral Action Plan for prevention and control of common non-communicable diseases (NCDs), National Monitoring Framework (NMF), Ayushman Bharat and FitIndiaMoment are some of the key initiatives of the government to support this cause. 

A massive and revolutionary step this year has been the inclusion of insurance cover for those who want to opt for obesity treatment. Although misinformation about obesity treatment is still very rampant, surgical intervention is an option for people with 40+ BMI and 35+ BMI along with comorbidities.  Insurance will cover medically advised treatment as per new IRDAI regulation.

Dr Mohit Bhandari: “Most patients who come to us have tried so many failed diets. Metabolic surgery provides a second chance to those patients trying to make long-term changes and make them lose 50-60% of their excess weight. At one point in time people thought that obesity was a disease of the rich, but that is not true anymore. Now with insurance cover, it will be of a great help to people who need this life-saving treatment.”

Dr Manish Khaitan: “Any disease is detrimental to a patient’s quality of life. NCDs (non-communicable diseases) even more so. Obesity is as chronic a disease as diabetes and needs treatment for life. It hampers mental and physical quality of life. Our focus should be on long term cure and prevention.” 

Dr. Shashank Shah: “Obesity is a complex disease depending on multiple factors like metabolism and total energy expenditure. However, individuals and society wrongly blame lack of willpower, when it is actually because of hormonal action which interferes with metabolism and gives rise to obesity. Like any other disease, a person suffering from Obesity should seek expert opinion for individually designed solution.”

The Anti-Obesity conclave was also attended by patients suffering from morbid obesity, who shared their personal journey. 

36-year-old Hiten Raikundaliya underwent operation at the age of 35. He had a pre-operation weight of 162 kgs with borderline diabetes & BP: “Food was my weakness and the peak of my weight was 162 kgs. I had a sedentary lifestyle and a desk job. It became so bad that I was unable to go to the washroom on my own. I tried many diets but failed every time. Eventually, I understood that Obesity is a disease and not a diet regime or fad. That’s when I decided to go for surgery and now after a year, I weigh 95 kgs. Today, I even run marathons. Most of us don’t understand that medical consultation is required when there is an abnormal weight gain. I’m glad that I took the decision to opt for bariatric surgery, which can save patients like me from future complications.” 

28-year-old Rita Pokharel gained 20 kgs after pregnancy, weighing 78 kgs. With the help of a supervised diet and exercise, she lost 18 kgs within a year.  Her weight-loss regimen included protein-rich intake and no carbohydrates. 

21-year-old Ganesh Chavla underwent surgery at the age 20. His pre-operation weight was 250 kgs. His father, who was present at the conclave, shared his child’s journey from a chubby kid to an obese child to now as a fit young man: “He weighed 150 kgs when he was in 10th standard and eventually left his studies and started following different diet and exercises regimes. This went on for 10 years, but he didn’t lose an ounce and instead ended up weighing 250 kgs. The emotional trauma was huge as he became a victim of ridicule. Not only did he lose friends and will to study but also the confidence to pursue his dream of becoming a photographer. Today, he is a young and confident man with a happier outlook towards life. All thanks to the surgery he opted for a year and a half back.”

This first-of-its-kind Conclave ended with a call to action as everyone came together to undertake a pledge for a healthier tomorrow, a fitter India and a promise to join India’s fight against Obesity.