Padamshree Dr Predeep Chaubey, laproscopic surgeon from New Delhi, talked about newer surgical options for diabetes and obesity. He informed that a whopping number of 2-2.5 million people were suffering from obesity in India. According to the studies, obesity is a major cause of mortality in our country as well.

"Obesity is a metabolic disease which damages the body by its physiological, metabolic and mechanical adverse effects. The cumulative effect is a shorter lifespan and with a poor quality of life. An obese individual is much more susceptible to diseases like diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis and obstructive sleep apnoea," he added.

The expert while elaborating the methods for treating obesity said treatment modes included behaviour modification, physical activity, non clinical weight management programs. Medically managed weight-loss and surgical treatment are also in demand these days, among which bariatric surgery is the most effective long-term treatment for obesity.

"The number of bariatric surgeries being performed today in India is increasing. It could be said that in years to come, a vast number of people would be fighting the battle against the bulge," said the expert further.

Talking on the topic of vitamin D and adult health, Dr Ambrish Mithal, expert of endocrinology and diabetes from Gurgaon, informed that vitamin D-3 was a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in very few foods. It is produced endogenously when skin is exposed to ultraviolet rays of sun.

"Vitamin D plays a definitive role in the normal growth and upkeep of our body and the quality of our bones. This is essential for the normal growth and maintenance of bone. Many studies suggest that vitamin D may provide protection from hypertension (high blood pressure), cancer, and several autoimmune diseases. This also contributes in growing number of important chronic diseases including osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancers, and autoimmune diseases as well as infections," added Dr Ambrish further.

However, in India, where sunshine is abundant, vitamin D deficiency is a growing concern among urban Indians. Studies have found that 60-80% of urban adults have less than 20 ng/ml of 25(OH)D in their blood.

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