‘Obesity greater health risk than alcohol or tobacco’

Fifth leading cause of deaths worldwide, says cardiologist on World Obesity Day

KARACHI:

Obesity is the fifth leading cause of death worldwide, said Liaquat National Hospital consultant cardiologist Prof Faisal Ahmed, citing statistics by the World Health Organisation. Addressing a webinar organised by the M Hashim Memomorial Trust on Wednesday to commemorate World Obesity Day, which was observed globally on March 4, Prof Ahmed said that around 17.9 million deaths across the world are attributed to cardiovascular diseases.

"Obesity leads to structural and functional changes of the heart, which causes heart failure. The altered myocardial structure increases the risk of atrial fibrillation and sudden cardiac death," he said.

The health professional also discussed life expectancy and survival rates in terms of Pakistan. Although the average age at which persons are susceptible to cardiovascular diseases across the globe is 65, in Pakistan people as old as 45 also suffer from cardiovascular diseases.

Blaming sedentary and inactive lifestyle s, Prof Ahmed traced the genesis of this disparity in the average age of heart patients to childhood. Taking the concern a step further, he discussed how obesity could predate the birth of a child. "Obesity begins at the time of conception of the fetus when mothers who are obese or have unhealthy lifestyles conceive."

Emphasising exercise and physical activity, he said that children with such familial history are at a higher risk of obesity.

The professor also factored processed foods as a leading cause of obesity in children. Fatty and sugary processed foods are credited for adding empty calories to the body, leading to higher levels of insulin, he said. This in turn makes young people insulin resistant, causing a higher appetite and increased body weight, he added.

He urged parents and schools to take proactive measures against unhealthy lifestyles.

Claiming that obesity, in comparison to alcohol or tobacco, impacts more lives in Pakistan, he encouraged the initiation of awareness campaigns and a greater focus on physical activities.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2021.