Obesity among youth is challenging: Vandana Luthra

Obesity is a global pandemic which needs to be addressed with about 2.7 billion overweight adults worldwide today sitting on the borderline of becoming obese by 2025, VLCC founder Vandana Luthra said on the sidelines of the Anti Obesity Day observed on November 26.

The numbers are alarming and the task to combat the menace is equally challenging, she pointed out.

In an email interview to ANI, Luthra said that adherence to a healthy lifestyle can help prevent or reduce the severity of chronic diseases including obesity and promote good health.

She emphasized that the key factors that form predominant part of lifestyle modification are exercise, diet, smoking cessation, curbing alcohol intake among others.

"By only including exercise - which could mean a brisk walk - and dietary modifications in your regimen, you could prevent the onset of many lifestyle diseases," Luthra said while emphasizing that growth of service sector in India has led to lifestyle disorders among young professionals.

Sedentary lifestyle combined with unhealthy eating habits is the major contributor to obesity among young adults and has given rise to diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and hypothyroidism.

"Through the entire month of November, VLCC promotes healthy lifestyle habits to stay fit. VLCC anti-obesity campaign includes organizing health camps, mass counseling sessions and talk-shows with health experts, among other measures," added Vandana.

VLCC has introduced a new series of effective weight management solutions which include DNA Test Panels for weight loss and predictive and preventive health care, she said adding that under this platform a list of genetic tests will be provided to help individuals understand their obesity and lifestyle diseases.