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Tribune News Network
Doha
TO raise awareness of obesity - a condition where a person has accumulated so much body fat that it could have a negative effect on the health - Al Wakra Hospital (AWH) will host a three-day event from November 26 to 28 in observance of this year's World Anti-Obesity Day.
"Obesity is a chronic disease, according to the World Health Organization and several other international associations concerned with obesity management. Obesity can occur due to both genetic and environmental causes and it is a major risk for developing serious diseases, including coronary heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and infertility," says Dr Mohamed El Sherif, Bariatric Endocrinologist at Bariatric Surgery Department at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).
He explains that unhealthy eating habits like consuming fast food and lack of physical activity are significant reasons for developing obesity. However, he says that obesity is mostly preventable through a combination of social changes and personal choices, underscoring the importance of Anti-Obesity Day awareness events that focus on providing information about obesity and its prevention.
Dr Mohammed Rizwan, Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Consultant at Al Wakra Hospital, stresses that bariatric surgeries are now considered to be one of the most successful ways of treating morbid obesity."Many metabolic diseases like Type 2 diabetes can be corrected by bariatric surgeries and can be cured completely post-surgery in some cases. It is important for patients to continue with their follow up after surgery and maintain a healthy lifestyle to avoid weight regain," he notes.
Dr Moataz Bashah, Director of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Services at HMC, emphasises that the National Obesity Center, which sits under HMC's Qatar Metabolic Institute, was recently opened for the prevention of weight-related diseases as outlined in the National Health Strategy. He says the Center is especially important in Qatar, which is faced with some of the highest levels of metabolic complications resulting from obesity and diabetes.
Speaking about the Anti-Obesity Day awareness programme, Dr Bashah says that the event will feature workshops at three different locations in Al Wakra Hospital, aiming to increase public awareness about obesity, obesity-related co-morbidities, risk factors, prevention and supportive services available to patients. He said workshop participants will include bariatric surgeons and physicians, surgical nursing staff, patient and family educators, dietitians and physiotherapists.
"The event will target adults, adolescents and pregnant women visiting Al Wakra Hospital through awareness stands and booths set up to disseminate information and education about obesity," Dr Bashah states.
Hospital nursing staff will also be on hand to measure visitors' height, weight, body mass index and body composition. They will also check visitors' vital signs and conduct random blood sugar level checks.
Patient and Family Education teams, dietitians and physiotherapists will provide visitors with information about maintaining a healthy diet, the importance of daily physical exercise and the importance of physical activity as a strategy to prevent obesity.
Other highlights of the event will include a presentation, lectures and an open discussion. Event participants will also receive souvenirs as a token of appreciation.
