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‘1/3rd Of Obese People Have Changes In Their Liver, Similar To Alcoholics’
EHM News Bureau - New Delhi
It is estimated that of 2.1 billion obese people worldwide,
India alone accounts for 97 million, of which more than 25 million have morbid
obesity. The condition is a leading cause of diseases like coronary artery disease
and diabetes and even cancer, which is why there is a need to start mass awareness
programmes about obesity.
In order to address the malaise of obesity, bariatric surgery
has emerged as the best suitable option to rid body of excessive fat. One needs
to consider diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary artery disease, hyperlipidemia,
and degenerative joint disease, which are all directly weight related and potentially
reversible with bariatric surgery. Even cancer (colon cancer, cervical cancer,
breast cancer and esophageal cancer) is associated with obesity. Dr Sayeed Ikramuddin,
Director of Bariatric Surgery and an Associate Professor in the Division of
General Surgery at the university of Minnesota, said obesity is possibly the
greatest health crisis facing the developed world like the US. Dr Ikramuddin
was in New Delhi recently to participate in the first Asia Pacific Obesity Conclave
that was hosted by Sir Gangaram Hospital.
Obesity is the main cause of Type-2 diabetes and India has
more than 40 million diabetics, which is alarming, adds Dr Ikramuddin.
One must understand that bariatric surgery is not a cosmetic
procedure done by the rich and affluent, points out Dr Pradeep Chowbey, Chairman,
Department of Minimal Access Surgery, Sir Ganagaram Hospital, but it is a life-
saving procedure. People, including medical fraternity will have to understand
that that morbid obesity has severe side effects that include diseases like
cancer, hypertension, arthritis, sleep apnea and dyslipidemia, said Dr Chowbey
and adds that moderate dieting and exercise can address overweight problems,
but morbid obesity calls for surgical intervention. Dr James Toouli, Professor
of Surgery, Flinders University of South Australia informed that 1/3rd of obese
people have changes in their liver that’s similar to alcoholics (Non Alcoholic
Steatothic Hepatitis), Hepatitis and liver failure have been reported due to
obesity. Obesity related co-morbidity is also on the rise which includes infertility
and only surgery can address the problem.
A WHO survey has concluded that morbid obesity will create
tremendous economic burden on India. The need of the hour is to increase public
awareness about morbid obesity and its future complications.
Overweight people should take early remedial action to rid
the body of excess accumulation of fat. Though obesity has reached endemic proportion
the world over, there’re no statistics from India, says Dr Toouli.
According to Dr Hildegardes C Dineros from St Luke’s
Medical Center, Manilla, women are more prone to obesity, and gastric bypass
is appropriate for India because people here eat carbohydrate-rich diet. He
says the type of obesity prevailing in India is abdominal, which could lead
to diabetes, high cholesteral and blood pressure that cause kidney and heart
problems.
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