9 hours ago
Awareness programme held on obesity, its complications
Visakhapatnam: In an initiative to combat growing obesity, the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Visakhapatnam organised a comprehensive one-day CME on 'managing obesity: 2025 and beyond' on Sunday.
The event, supported by Medicover Hospitals, witnessed a presence of close to 400 doctors in attendance.
Obesity is recognised as the root cause of several major non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, infertility, joint pain, respiratory issues, and depression.
Alarmingly, rising cases of pediatric obesity were also highlighted during the programme.
Experts warned that if left unmanaged, obesity can lead to serious, long-term health complications.
The CME brought together renowned speakers from Chennai, Nashik, Hyderabad, and Visakhapatnam, who addressed obesity as a complex multisystem disorder affecting physical, mental, and social well-being.
Padma Vibhushan Dr D Nageshwar Reddy, chairman and chief gastroenterologist at AIG Hospitals, Hyderabad delivered keynot address on 'recent advances in obesity management and non-surgical endoscopic options like ESG'. His address was followed by a felicitation ceremony recognising his outstanding contributions to gastroenterology and public health. Dr Srinivas Nistala, executive member of IMA Visakhapatnam, head of medical gastroenterology at Medicover Hospitals shared clinical insights on the role of intragastric balloons as a minimally invasive solution for managing obesity.
Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Srinivas Nistala said, 'This programme is a vital step towards educating the medical fraternity about serious implications of obesity and the importance of a holistic, multidisciplinary treatment approach.'
