Thiruvananthapuram: The management of overweight with strict instructions on healthy diet and structured exercises comes a cropper in majority of patients because most of them are mentally unprepared or lack the mental stamina to stay the course.
A team of doctors and dieticians debated on two dozen topics related to weight gain and safe management strategies in Kochi the other day at the first ever meeting of the State chapter of All India Association of Advancing Research in Obesity (AIAARO).
Experts stressed the need for incorporating multiple members in a team, especially a psychologist for motivating the subjects to adhere to the weight loss regimen.
Internet is filled with propaganda on weight-reducing remedies, many of which result in serious adverse events to the liver and kidney.
Obesity is responsible for more than 20 killer illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, sleep apnoea, cirrhosis liver and even cancers and hence cost-effective treatment of obesity is more important than treating the costly multiple consequences of obesity, said Dr Jothydev Kesavadev, the Kerala chapter president of AIAARO.
Mr V.D. Satheesan, MLA, who inaugurated the scientific programme, pointed out regulatory requirements of pesticide-free safe vegetables and fruits.
AIAARO is a unique learning platform where doctors from different specialties and nutrition experts gather for a common social cause.
Dr Jayalekshmy Kurup was the organising chairperson. Ms Geethu Sanal, chief dietician at Jothydev’s Diabetes Centre and AIAARO chapter secretary moderated. More than 25 speakers and around 200 doctors and dieticians participated.
