Date:13/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/13/stories/2006111301340200.htm

Kerala - Kochi

For a fat-free lifestyle

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: A Lifestyle Clinic would start functioning from Tuesday at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS). As part of an awareness programme, a workshop titled Preventing Cardiovascular diseases — Lifestyle interventions in Adolescents and Children was held at the hospital on Sunday.

An interactive session of school children, teachers and parents with the various experts present on the occasion was the highlight of the workshop.

The workshop was aimed at bringing about a change in adopting a lifestyle that provides adequate exercise to the body to check itself from acquiring unwanted fat.

The Paediatric Cardiology department at AIMS would be conducting the Lifestyle Clinic. The objective is preventing cardiovascular diseases in future generation. There will be a guidance centre for prevention-oriented cardiovascular programmes in children. According to R. Krishna Kumar, the Head of Paediatric Cardiology, the clinic will act as a hub of public health research, which could bring out relevant research projects with proper funding.

The workshop probed the parent's concern about health and education and tried to find out how much time children are allowed to play in school or at home. Children were asked how much time they spent watching television and how many would like to have more opportunities for sports.

They were also quizzed about the diet patterns, exposure to junk food, effect of advertisements, stress and about health education.Earlier, pointing out some of the changes that have taken place in the entertainment industry and the mobility of a person, Manu Raj, paediatrician, said these two aspects have had a major impact on people's lifestyles.

The workshop and the clinic are a result of the study conducted by the Pediatric Cardiology Research Department in school children of Ernakulam district. At the inaugural session, experts from various fields spoke. Harish Kumar, Head of Endocrinology, AIMS and Dr. Krishna Kumar, moderated the session.