New Delhi, Nov 19: Incidence of child obesity is on the rise especially in the metropolitan cities and would have serious complications if not addressed at an early stage, an expert said here today. "Obesity refers to a spectrum of problems of excess weight ranging from mild overweight to morbidly obese. If the current trend continues it is likely to emerge as the single most important health problem in the country," chairman of the department of minimal access surgery at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Dr P K Chowbey told reporters.
Obese children are more likely to develop obesity-related complications such as diabetes, back ache, bronchial asthma, high blood pressure, common cardiac disease and knee problems at an early age, he said.
On the burden of the disease in India he said "seven to nine per cent of the population in the country is overweight of which 20 to 25 per cent is morbidly obese." In absolute number the figure would be close to 2.5 million, he said.
Speaking about the options available to control morbid obesity, he said "controlled diets, behaviour modification and exercise programs could only bring temporary success."
Endoscopic surgery of morbid obesity has emerged as a popular and effective surgery, he said.
It, however, comes with side effects and at a high price, he said adding "skin would loosen after the surgery and the patient might pass motion three to four times a day."
Terming the change in life style as the root cause of the problem he said "the disease was more common in America, Australia and European countries have now started affecting people in this part of the world as well."
Bureau Report