To prevent obesity and other diseases that are on the rise in children as a result of changing lifestyles and technological advances, the Government Medical College in Nagpur has launched an obesity awareness campaign beginning on Saturday, in accordance with guidelines issued by the Maharashtra Government’s Directorate of Medical Education and Drug and Medicine Department.
Under the guidance of Dr. Raj Gajbhiye, Maharashtra State Head (In-charge), and Dr. Bhupesh Tirpude, nodal officer of the Nagpur district program, the campaign was held on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at five different schools in Nagpur. 509 students’ total weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) were noted. Out of the 500 students, 3% were stunted.
Dr. Bhupesh Tirpude, while guiding the students, stated that the current changing lifestyle, various changes in the environment, increasing amount of junk in the diet, and increasing technological advancements, as a result of which the students are addicted to mobile phones and gadgets, are their distance from outdoor sports. This leads to obesity, which causes a variety of diseases.
The obesity awareness campaign will be implemented in all schools in the district in a phased manner throughout the year. Dr. Abhishek Pande, Dr. Asmita Dhurve, Dr. Sonali Patil, Dr. Sarika Thackeray, and Dr. Sandeep Golhar were present.