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MUMBAI: Try to walk as much as possible instead of using the car or hiring a cab. Turn off the TV or the Internet and do some exercise instead. Get out of bed and take that morning walk you've been putting off. These are the messages doctors are spreading as we observe Anti-Obesity Day on Monday, even as doctors in the West give similar advice in their bid to link anti-obesity and anti-climate change strategies.
We may not see as many rotund people on Indian streets as can be seen in the US, but doctors warn it is becoming increasingly important to fight the battle of the bulge here too. An astonishing 17% of youth aged 14 to 18 were obese or overweight in a study conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi.
Doctors say that in India it is the 'invisible fat' that is the cause for concern. Endocrinologist Shashank Joshi of Lilavati Hospital, Bandra calls us the 'thin-fat Indians', who have less muscle and more fat in our body composition. And the TV-Internet-canteen culture is only worsening the situation. At a time when Western public health experts are lobbying for a campaign to fight obesity on par with that for climate change, desi doctors are urging Indians to pick up the danger signs earlier.
"India is among the top obese nations in the world," warned Dr Mufazzal Lakdawala, consultant obesity surgeon at Hiranandani Hospital. "People should make lifetsyle changes, start dieting and exercising, when they start becoming overweight. They shouldn't wait till they get obese."
While weight concerns bog down most Indians, those whose Body Mass Index is higher than 30 need to be worried most, say experts. As president of the All India Association for Advancing Research in Obesity, Dr Ramen Goel, put it, "We are heading towards multiple epidemics, many of which (like diabetes and heart disease) are manifestations of the increasing fat percentage in our bodies." He offers the 'prevention is better' mantra, as he pointed out that even affluent nations, like the US, have reviewed public health policy and discovered that lifestyle changes are needed as it is expensive to treat a growing population of diabetics.
Western governments have been juggling strategies, from banning junk in school canteens to reviewing advertising of foodstuff. The latest thrust among public health experts is to fight both climate change and obesity at one go. "The American Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention is considering promoting the co-benefits of fighting global warming and obesity-related illnesses through everyday exercise, such as walking to school or work," Dr Howard said.
We may not see as many rotund people on Indian streets as can be seen in the US, but doctors warn it is becoming increasingly important to fight the battle of the bulge here too. An astonishing 17% of youth aged 14 to 18 were obese or overweight in a study conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi.
Doctors say that in India it is the 'invisible fat' that is the cause for concern. Endocrinologist Shashank Joshi of Lilavati Hospital, Bandra calls us the 'thin-fat Indians', who have less muscle and more fat in our body composition. And the TV-Internet-canteen culture is only worsening the situation. At a time when Western public health experts are lobbying for a campaign to fight obesity on par with that for climate change, desi doctors are urging Indians to pick up the danger signs earlier.
"India is among the top obese nations in the world," warned Dr Mufazzal Lakdawala, consultant obesity surgeon at Hiranandani Hospital. "People should make lifetsyle changes, start dieting and exercising, when they start becoming overweight. They shouldn't wait till they get obese."
While weight concerns bog down most Indians, those whose Body Mass Index is higher than 30 need to be worried most, say experts. As president of the All India Association for Advancing Research in Obesity, Dr Ramen Goel, put it, "We are heading towards multiple epidemics, many of which (like diabetes and heart disease) are manifestations of the increasing fat percentage in our bodies." He offers the 'prevention is better' mantra, as he pointed out that even affluent nations, like the US, have reviewed public health policy and discovered that lifestyle changes are needed as it is expensive to treat a growing population of diabetics.
Western governments have been juggling strategies, from banning junk in school canteens to reviewing advertising of foodstuff. The latest thrust among public health experts is to fight both climate change and obesity at one go. "The American Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention is considering promoting the co-benefits of fighting global warming and obesity-related illnesses through everyday exercise, such as walking to school or work," Dr Howard said.
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