Obesity is one of the major 21st century challenges. The World Health Organization (WHO) has described obesity as a “global epidemic”. Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. According to WHO, a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than or equal to 25 is overweight and BMI greater than or equal to 30 is obesity.
It is estimated that 500 million people worldwide are obese including 43 million children under age five. The consequences of obesity include high risk of health problems –such as hypertension, cardiac problems, diabetes, stroke, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, and reproductive problems relating to physical health. Other problems such as stress, anxiety, depression, lowered self-esteem, self-efficacy, lowered cognitive functioning, interpersonal problems, lowered body image, developmental problems, lowered quality of life and well-being etc. can be categorised under psychosocial dimensions. Considering the nature of problems resulting from obesity, there is a need for multidisciplinary approach to treatment and prevention of obesity. Hence a convergence of expertise from professionals from multiple disciplines is the need of the hour. Doctors, Psychologists, Nutritionists, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers and other experts need to offer their services in a holistic and complementary framework.
The two-day National Seminar (6-7 August 2013) to be hosted by University of Hyderabad (UoH) intends to explore the routes to identify the problems related to obesity, evolve innovative multidisciplinary approaches in handling obesity related problems, and understand, predict, prevent and manage psycho-social repercussions of weight reduction interventions. These objectives are going to be attained by means of key note addresses, special lectures and deliberations of high quality research work. The outcome of the seminar is expected to be understanding the significance of multidisciplinary approach in handling the problems of obesity and building up of teams for effective intervention. Special lectures on Psychological Consequence of Obesity, Stress and Childhood Obesity and benefits of bariatric surgery will be delivered at the Seminar.
Sri LV Subramanyam, Principal Secretary of Medical and Health Department, Govt. of AP will inaugurate the Seminar on August 6, 2013 at 10:00 am in the School of Humanities Auditorium.
For more information please visit http://uohyd.ac.in/images/news/chp_national_seminar_brochure_aug2013.pdf