Fight Childhood Obesity campaign gets huge response
Payal Pedkar
Pune – Obesity is a silent killer and an increasing percentage of people die from this health condition. According to a recent study: India has the second highest number of obese children in the world after China which is 14.4 million children. Globally over 2 billion children are suffering from health problems related to being overweight or obese. So there’s a huge need to create awareness among people from all social strata.
To reduce childhood obesity problem, ‘Fight obesity campaign’ was initiated by Dr. Jayashree Todkar,Director of JT foundation and leading Batriatic Surgeon which was inaugurated on 16th November 2017 by Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. Children are the crucial element of the society and focusing on them will help in creating awareness among society and thus they will be the messengers in this campaign. To involve them in this program JT foundation organised a drawing competition in 45 schools from Pune city. This drawing competition has obesity as a theme. Till now 15000 entries have been confirmed and among those 15000 entries, 100 selected drawings will be exhibited and best 14 drawings will be rewarded in Evolve 2018 on 12th August, Sunday in Mahatma Phule auditorium.
“Before starting the competition kids were shown documentary about obesity, different lectures were organized and then kids were asked to draw their idea on obesity. Our aim is not to assess their drawing skills but to create awareness among kids.So here it was visualizing,thinking and then expressing.The best obesity drawings will be the brand ambassdors…where in those kids will be a part of further activities organized by JT foundation.We want kids to have proper awareness about disease of obesity thus that will help them for better future.” said Dr. Todkar.
Mr. Mahesh Shah, president, Rotary club of Koregaon Park said,”It is very important to teach about healthy and junk food right from childhood.Habits and knowledge that are imbibed from childhood last for lifetime.This initiative will surely make kids aware about the disease.”
