Indian American physicians’ obesity awareness campaign centers around “Be Healthy, Be Happy.”
“Secret to Living Longer is to Eat half, Walk double, Laugh triple and Love without measure.”
That is the mantra offered by American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) to beat obesity identified as a leading cause for early death
To create awareness about its dangers, the largest ethnic medical association is launching a campaign centered around the theme of “Be Healthy, Be Happy.”
As part of the campaign, it will be observing January 7 as the Global Wear Yellow Day for obesity awareness and health, showcasing yellow for energy, motivation, hope, optimism, joy and happiness.
AAPI is also trying to get a Wear Yellow for Obesity Awareness Proclamation from the White House so it can be implemented nationwide, according to AAPI president Sudhakar Jonnalagadda.
So far, AAPI has got official proclamations from mayors in several States, he told an educational webinar on NObesity on Dec. 12, according to a media release.
Describing Obesity as a major disease, World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized prevention as the most feasible option for curbing the obesity epidemic. Parents, schools, communities, states and countries can help make the Healthy choice the Easy choice.
“The impact and role of AAPI in influencing policy makers and the public is ever more urgent today,” Jonnalagadda said during the webinar led by international health experts.
“AAPI being the largest ethnic medical organization in USA and the second largest organized medical association after AMA, we have the power and responsibility to influence the state and the public through education for health promotion and disease prevention.”
Hence AAPI is trying ‘To Educate to Empower’ as ‘An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure,’ Jonnalagadda said.
The interactive webinar was moderated by Dr. Uma Jonnaladadda, Chair of AAPI’s Physicians Section, Dr. Padmaja Adusumilli, and Dr. Pooja Kinkhabwala.
Muamer Dajdic, a motivational educator, who had struggled with obesity his whole life, shared how once weighing nearly 500 lbs, he lost over 300 lbs. in one and a half years.
The author of an upcoming book, The Healthy Living Process, he earned the Melting Snowman nickname and set out on a mission to help 100 million people across the world overcome obesity and maintain a healthy body for life.
Kevin J. Finn, Professor of Kinesiology at the University of Central Missouri speaking on “Exercise is Medicine” stressed the importance of including daily activities that enhance one’s health.
Noted nutritionist Swarna Mandali spoke about “Partaking Portions: Road to Prevention” shedding light on practical ways to manage food intake, especially among South Asians and their food habits.
Dr. Hira Nair, a Professor of Psychology at Kansas City Community College, spoke about building community awareness of important global issues such as hunger and the importance of educating the girl child.
Dr. Uma Koduri, Founder of NObesity Revolution and Chair of National AAPI Obesity Committee explained what ‘GO Yellow’ means. G stands for Get your BMI, O for Own your Lifestyle and Yellow for energy, motivation hope, optimism, joy and happiness.
AAPI has taken its campaign to 100 cities in the US, 100 cities in India and 100 countries around the World, including on the 7th continent on Earth, the Antarctica,” Dr. Koduri said.
“With obesity proving to be a major epidemic affecting nearly one third of the nation’s population, we have a responsibility to save future generations by decreasing childhood obesity,” said Dr. Anupama Gotimukula, President-Elect of AAPI.
READ MORE:
Ajay Lodha, former AAPI president, succumbs to covid-19 (November 23, 2020)
Coffee table book on AAPI history released (October 15, 2020)
AAPI proposes US-Israel-India health dialogue to combat covid-19 (September 2, 2020)
AAPI proposes US-Israel-India health dialogue to combat covid-19 (September 2, 2020 )
Sudhakar Jonnalagadda takes over as AAPI president (July 13, 2020)