It is reported that around 20% of Indian children are overweight or obese and numbers of Type 2 diabetes is soaring amongst children and adolescents.  MV Hospital for Diabetes & Diabetes Research Centre, the WHO collaborating centre in India today launched a campaign titled “Campaign on Prevention of Childhood Obesity and Diabetes” to address this concern.

A Manual detailing facts and guidelines on prevention of obesity for children was also launched to help cultivate long-term weight control. The Manual, the first ever awareness handbook on the subject in the country - Manual on Prevention of Childhood Obesity, was launched by Mr. Thangam Thennarasu, Honourable Minister of Education, Tamil Nadu and the recipient of the first copy was Mr. D. Jagannathan, Director of School Education, Tamil Nadu. Bayer Diabetes Care extended the support for bringing out the manual.

Kicking off the Campaign in a symbolic representation was a Children’s Poster competition on obesity titled “My understanding of Obesity & Diabetes” for children from over 20 schools in the city. An exhibition of the Posters organized by M.V. Hospitals brought to the fore, the current understanding of the problem among the generations of tomorrow and set the tone for the campaign objectives.

Another key part of the Day’s event was the DRC Gold Medal Oration on ‘Science & Technology towards appreciable Health Care in India’ was delivered by Dr. T. Ramasami, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. Vijay Viswanathan, Managing Director of M.V. Hospital for Diabetes & Diabetes Research Centre, Royapuram said, “This is an initiative brought forth by the team after immense planning and research. The increase of obesity in children in India especially in the urban areas is quite alarming. Therefore, we decided to concentrate on the food habits of children and assist parents in providing their children with a healthy nutritious diet. The Manual also has guidelines on physical activity and routines that would not over stress the child but help stay fit. We are happy to receive positive responses from the schools and the Government.

Chennai October 16, 2007:  With 70% of the Indian adult population being diabetic and fighting with over weight conditions, MV hospital has decided to concentrate on this issue by helping patients with a scientific approach and recommendations to foster long-term weight control and prevent diabetes. MV Hospital has come up with this novel initiative and has set up a Weight Management Clinic in their Mylapore branch to tackle the problem exclusively.

The New Weight Management Clinic at MVH, Mylapore center was inaugurated by Mr. Ravi, IPS Joint Commissioner of Police [North] and Mrs. Seema, Malayalam Film Actress. Mr. Ravi said “Weight Management depends on the “Time Management” and “One’s Will Power to do it”.   He praised “MV Centre for Diabetes to introduce such a clinic first in a Diabetes Centre in India ”.   He said “an individual can decide what is good for his or her health and what is not.  He said “eating junk food must be avoided and regular exercise and dietary control will help to solve the problems of Obesity.

Dr. Vijay Viswanathan, Managing Director of MV Hospital for Diabetes stressed on the alarming increase in obesity in children and adults in India especially in the urban areas and importance to lose weight and reduce the risk of illness like hypertension, heart disease, and other conditions that have been associated with the disease. He added “Obesity and lack of physical activity lead to a condition called ‘Metabolic Syndrome’ which has been found to be the main factor responsible for the development of diabetes and also heart attacks.”

The Weight Management Clinic at MV Hospital, Mylapore, consists of specialists who are endocrinologist, diabetologists, trained nutritionists, and trained physiotherapist to provide specific recommendation to prevent obesity and diabetes. Their recommendations will emphasize the potential effectiveness of weight management using multiple tests to detect any medical problems leading to overweight, including dietary therapy, physical exercises, behavior therapy, and pharmacotherapy to be used in combination for the greatest success. The panel will recommend these methods to foster long-term weight control and to prevent weight gain as well

Thiru Nanchil Kumaran, I.P.S., Commissioner of Police, Chennai in the photo (left) at a Diabetes detection camp organized by M.V. Hospital for Diabetes and Diabetes Research Centre  on August, 16, 2007  for Chennai Central Zone police men at Thousand Lights, Mount Road, Chennai .  The medical camp was organized by Diabetes Research Centre and M.V. Hospital for Diabetes, Royapuram as a part of  COPS study research and analysis.  The Institute has already done Chennai North Zone police men camp on July 15th , 2007  and Tmt. Letika Saran, I.P.S., the then Commissioner of Police is in the picture (right) being examined by Dr.Vijay Viswanathan, Managing Director, M.V. Hospital for Diabetes, & Diabetes Research Centre, Royapuram.