LAHORE
GOVERNMENT College University’s Psychology Department on Friday organised a seminar “Obesity-My Relationship with Food” in which students were briefed on the side-effects of obesity and benefits of balanced diet. The speakers were of the view that often the change in eating habits and timings also increased weight which could be reduced through balanced diet and exercise.
GCU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman chaired the seminar 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, Dr Khaleeq-ur-Rahman said all educational institutions should organise such types of awareness seminars and lectures on the important topics, which were directly linked to the life and health of their students. While encouraging the students to take part in sports, the VC said healthy body was necessary for healthy mind.
Dr Sohail Sheikh emphasised the importance of diet to combat obesity. He said one should not compromise on quality and quantity of food while having meal. He said 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.
He further said no solution to obesity was sustained 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, he said 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 there were several factors which contributed to developing body image including biological factor, psychological factor (positive and negative) and socio-cultural factors (parents, peers, media).
The clinical psychologist said 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.