GC University organizes seminar on ‘obesity - my relationship with food’

Lahore, The students of Government College University Lahore were Friday briefed on side-effects of obesity and benefits of balanced diet at a seminar organised by the university’s Psychology Department on the topic of ‘obesity - my relationship with food’.

Often change in eating habits and timings also increase weight which can be reduced through balanced diet and exercise, said the speakers at the seminar which was chaired by GCU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman, while health expert Dr Sohail Sheikh, clinical psychologist Mishal Tariq and other experts also delivered lectures to combat obesity with food and psychological treatment.

Addressing the seminar, the Vice Chancellor said that all educational institutions should organise such type of awareness seminars and lectures on the important topics, which were directly linked to the life and health of their students. He encouraging the students to take part in sports said that healthy body was necessary for healthy mind.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sohail Sheikh emphasised on the importance of diet to combat obesity. He said that one should not compromise on quality and quantity of food while having meal. He said that obesity was not just a cosmetic consideration; rather it was a dire dilemma directly harmful to one’s health that led towards chronic medical complications.

Dr Sohail said that no solution to obesity was sustained and long term unless a healthy lifestyle was adopted, adding, obesity was difficult to treat and had a high relapse rate.

Pointing out the side effects of obesity, Dr Sohail said that diabetes, stroke, sleeplessness, gallbladder failure, hypertension, liver malfunction, respiratory insufficiency, heart diseases, high blood pressure, abdominal hernia and even cancer could easily hit an obese person.

Dr Sohail said everyone should have three meals a day and never skip the meal and monitor protein level regularly.
Mishal Tariq, highlighting the psychological impacts of obesity, said that there were several factors which contribute in developing body image including biological factor, psychological factor (positive and negative) and socio-cultural (parents, peers, media).

The clinical psychologist said that body dissatisfaction made the people depressed, who after observing their body in bad shapes even eat more. She said gender difference was also important in judging a body image, adding that male and female had different views about their bodies.

Later, Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khaleeq-ur-Rahman gave away certificates to the students who participated in the seminar.