VELLORE:Students of D K M College for Women got an insight into the problems related to obesity as they listened to experts at the one-day Ninth Annual Symposium ‘Obesidade’ under the aegis of the inter-society of biochemistry and nutrition on Tuesday.
College Principal Dr Sudha said that this was the first time the college had organised a special meet to discuss problems associated with obesity to benefit the younger generation.
Dr Nihal Thomas, Head, Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at Christian Medical College explained in his inaugural address how obesity impacted the youth in India and how the country was evolving as the diabetic capital of the world. He underlined the need for screening youngsters in schools and colleges for obesity and diabetes. A low birth weight is now associated with the onset of diabetes. He underlined the need for good exercise, right food and proper sleep to prevent the disease.
Dr Thambu David Sudarsanam, Head, Department of Medicine at Christian Medical College, while explaining the consequences of obesity pointed out that 80 per cent of diabetes in India was due to obesity. “If your parents are diabetics, be careful to avoid becoming obese,” he advised the audience. Dr P V Lakshmi, chief nutritionist at the Global Hospitals explained the importance of nutrition in food and that it helped in building resistance against diseases. Rehman Shariff , a physical trainer, listed a fitness regimen that could be followed.