Andhra Pradesh

A heavy-weight burden for healthcare

G.V.Ramana Rao

Obesity levels are alarmingly high among Indians, says a Vijayawada-born medical student

VIJAYAWADA: The incidence of diabetes among Indians in rural areas is alarmingly high and is no different from those of Indians living in urban environment, according to a study made by the University of Birmingham.

“The cumulative impact of rapid urbanisation and dietary transition in India is disturbing. It will be a big challenge to the growing healthcare burden that the country is facing,” says Rahul Potluri, final year medical student and member of the multi-disciplinary team that conducted the study on subjects in UK and in India.

Rahul, who was born in Vijayawada and studied here till he was eight-years-old, was anxious to share the findings of the study with people here in his campaign against obesity.

He says, in western countries, diabetes is attributed to weight gain — a biological response to excessive energy intake. Indians are however prone to the disease genetically also.

World Health Organisation estimates suggest that 20 million children aged five years and under could be at risk of obesity-related diseases.

Can the Indian economy bear the rapidly growing healthcare burden? Rahul wonders.

The changes in lifestyle are not helping. The 200 ml glass soft drink bottles are being increasingly replaced by 600 ml plastic bottle. This not just a huge obesity-related issue, but also a question of recycling, Rahul says.

Rahul’s study of obesity in Indians has already attracted acclaim and the prestigious Cochrane Prize 2007 awarded by the Faculty of Public Health, United Kingdom. Rahul is the recipient of several other prizes including prize money of 1,000 pounds (UK) from the British Medical Association, which is the union of doctors in the UK. The BBC has made a documentary film on his work and telecast it recently, he says.

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