South Indian women are the most obese of all: Survey

Affecting every region of the globe, obesity has become one of the most neglected public health problems as described by the WHO (World Health Organization). 

However, the prevalence of overweight or obesity is intensifying rapidly in south Indian population compared to other studies carried out in India with serious public health consequences.

According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), the percentage of married women aged 18-49 years who are overweight or obese increased from 11% in NFHS-2 to 15% in NFHS-3 in south India, the percentage of women who are overweight or obese is highest in Kerala (34%), followed by Tamil Nadu (24.4%), Andhra Pradesh (22.7%) and Karnataka (17.3%).

As per cross section and an institutionally based study conducted at Tamil Nadu, the overall prevalence rate of overweight or obese among adults was 52.4%, moreover females overweight/obese was 22.8% -34.8% and in males overweight or obese was 23.4-22%.

Bariatric Surgeon Dr. Venugopal Pareek, senior Bariatric and Laparoscopic Surgeon inform that obesity is not an immediately lethal disease itself but has a significant risk factor associated with a range of serious non-communicable diseases in south Indian population.

It is also a major driver for the widely prevalent diabetes mellitus, hypertension, breast cancer and dyslipidemia disorders. 

Further, he added, patients, are now becoming more conscious and aware about the complications of obesity and coming up for a surgical solution. 

Hyderabad, Karnataka, Bangalore, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh are the prime preferable locations of patients for bariatric surgery treatment.

Dr Pareek informs that there has been a large number of increases reported in medical tourism for the Bariatric procedure in Hyderabad. 
Foreigner patients majorly from Afghanistan, Iraq, Dubai, Africa are coming for weight loss surgeries in India.

There are four types of surgeries ‘Sleeve Gastrectomy’, ‘Gastric Bypass’, ‘Mini Gastric Bypass’ and ‘Gastric Band’ are available and depending upon the patient’s condition, various obesity-related health issues and their preferences, people are advised for a particular type of surgery.