18 April 2009
By Simran Virk
Ludhiana
The flamboyant Punjabis have done it again. After being associated with throwing lavish fat weddings or having the largest number of Mercedes, the city again leads in the number of obese people.
The word obese in today’s time has become horrific.
However, many support groups have come up to generate awareness and motivate overweight people to change their outlook and lifestyle.
Taking part in a weight–loss support group provides a sense of belonging to an obese person, who might shy away from joining a health club.
These groups offer a common platform to people to share their fears about losing weight and recovery from weight loss surgery, yet motivating them to change their mind–set.
According to information, such groups comprise obese, post–operative patients, a weight–loss surgeon, psychologist, dietician and potential patients, who want to get rid of their problems but want answers to their queries.
A similar support group was launched by Apollo Hospital and now, DMCH has organized its first obesity meet and constituted an obesity support group.
Sharing his experiences, Rajkumar, 50, said, Obese people always become a laughing stock for others which lead to depression in some. I was 110 kg and after interacting with doctors, went for a bariatric surgery. Now, I am 85 kg.
He said he had not developed any complications after the surgery.
Motivating others to go for the surgery, Jaswinder Kaur, an absolute foodie, said, Sometimes, it becomes difficult to control eating binges. Following the surgery, my lifestyle has changed. My arthritis has been relieved and I can go to the washroom without any help. I also perform various household chores.
Kawaljeet, weighing around 168 kg, said, After attending the session, I am become prepared to go for the surgery. It will not only improve my looks but also keep diseases like diabetes at bay.
Likewise, Reshu, said, People crack jokes on obese people and I have made up my mind to go for the bariatric surgery within two to three months.
Meanwhile, Dr Ashish Ahuja, department of surgery, DMCH, said, Finding and joining a weight loss support group is a great tool towards losing weight.
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