The big O - Obesity

Dr Shrihari Dhorepatil, eminent obesity surgeon says it is about time one separates fa(c)t from fiction

Q. What are some fundamental reasons for obesity?
A. Basically, there are two reasons for obesity. One of them is, it is genetically transferred. If the mother and father are obese, there are 60 per cent chances that children will become obese. This is one of the reasons. But if it is not genetic then lifestyle, stress and bad food habits can make you fat. We found more obesity in housewives

Q. Does obesity impact men and women in different ways?
A. There is not much difference when it comes to impact, on the genders. It can though, make women infertile. Otherwise, the effects of obesity are pretty much the same when it comes to men and women.

Dr Shrihari Dhorepatil, obesity surgeon

Q. How is stress and obesity related?
A. There are two typical ways that people react to stress. The person either eats too much, without any physical activity. And in another instance, the person doesn't eat at all. In the former category, a stressed person eats without being hungry. Eating gives a sense of satisfaction and so, the person forgets the stress. Fat increases as there is no physical activity. One research conducted recently found out that divorced women tend to become fat.

Q. Which was the most difficult case that you handled in Pune?
A. I had a case of a young man, he was just 21 years old and weighed 282 kg. He was unable to walk or even sit down. After undergoing obesity surgery though, he still weighs 120 kg, he goes to office, and can work just like a normal person.

Q. What is the reason for increasing obesity in children?
A. Most parents are working and have no time to pay attention to their children's food habits. In fact, they prefer to give them food with high calories like chocolate or burgers. And they forget to ask them to do any physical activity. Children prefer to sit at home and play video games. This makes them fat.

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