AIAARO hosts various education events this World Obesity Day in India

The All India Association for Advancing Research on Obesity (AIAARO), World Obesity’s principal member in India, displayed its commitment to continued high-level education to mark World Obesity Day 2024 with a series of events.

AIAARO and Jothydev's Professional Education Forum Joint CME Event

In conjunction with Jothydev's Professional Education Forum, AIAARO organised a CME event held at Residency Tower, Trivandrum on 19 March 2024. The informative and insightful event was attended by 50 dedicated medical professionals, with opening remarks by Dr. B.M Makkar, Honorary Secretary of AIAARO.

The event looked at the Cardio-Renal Metabolic (CaReMe) approach of treatment, which represents a holistic strategy in managing interconnected conditions affecting the heart, kidneys, and metabolic systems, underscoring the symposium’s significance. The event featured insightful talks from renowned experts including Dr Praveen S V (Interventional Cardiologist, KIMS Hospital), Dr Aneesh Ghosh (Endo,Ananthapuri Hospital), and Dr Jothydev Kesavadev, highlighting the latest advancements and research in this field.

Dr Arun Shankar's (Medical Director, Jothydev's Diabetes And Research Center, Thiruvananthapuram) presentation on the benefits of the pioneering oral GLP-1 RA treatment, was a key highlight, with the session chaired by Dr Shahana Yasmin (RSSDI Fellow, Jothydev's Diabetes And Research Center, Thiruvananthapuram).

A comprehensive panel discussion on obesity as part of World Obesity Day provided a multifaceted view on this critical health issue, with contributions from Prof. Benny PV (Department of Community Medicine, Sree Gokulam Medical College), Dr Sumesh Raj (Professor of General Medicine, Sree Gokulam Medical College), Dr Anand Marthanda Pillai (Interventional Cardiologist & Electrophysiologist, Ananthapuri Hospital) and Dr Jothydev Kesavadev. The panel was moderated by Ms Gopika Krishnan. This splendid program was a testament to the vibrant and collaborative spirit of the medical community.

Obesity awareness programme

In observance with World Obesity day, an awareness programme for the public was conducted via Facebook Live on 26 March 2024. The theme of the programme was ‘Let’s talk about obesity’. The one-hour session featured a range of panellists, including Dr Jothydev Kesavadev (Chairman, Jothydev’s Diabetes & Research Centres and AIAARO Committee), Dr Ajaiyakumar S K (Laproscopic and Bariatric Surgeon, Saraswathy Institute of Minimal Access Surgery, Trivandrum), Dr Arun Shankar, (Medical Director at Jothydev’s Diabetes & Research Centres and AIAARO Kerala Chapter) and Ms Geethu Sanal (Chief Dietitian, Jothydev’s Diabetes & Research Centres and AIAARO Kerala Chapter).

The concerns and doubts of the audience regarding obesity management were answered. Other topics of discussion centred around medical management of obesity, prevention of obesity in children, the importance of diet and physical activity in the prevention of obesity, and surgical interventions in obesity, among others.

Addressing obesity: Role of intermittent fasting

A discussion on the management of obesity and the role of intermittent fasting method was conducted by AIAARO’s Kerala Chapter on 31 March, in association with JPEF and the Kazhakoottam chapter of the Indian Medical Association. The Facebook Live transmission featured an introduction from Dr Shibu, President of IMA Kazhakoottam, and contributions from Dr Benny P V, Professor at the Department of Community Medicine, Sree Gokulam Medical College, who spoke on intermittent fasting. The talks were followed by a panel discussion featuring Dr Jothydev Kesavadev, Dr Benny P V and Ms Geethu Sanal from AIAARO Kerala.