The Centre for Health Psychology, University of Hyderabad (UoH) celebrating its sixth foundation day organized a national seminar on ‘Obesity: contemporary Issues and Challenges’. The seminar is unique in the sense that it brought multi-disciplinary professionals under the same umbrella to discuss the bio-psychosocial issues related to obesity, the alarming lifestyle disorder.
Dignitaries lighting the lamp at the inaugural session of the seminar
Shri L. V. Subrahmanyam, IAS, Principal Secretary to Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, Department of Health inaugurated the seminar. Speaking on this occasion he said that obesity is an urban problem. He emphasized that the society needs to accommodate the needs of obese population. He also cautioned to verify the claim of the weight reduction advertisements. Obesity has severe psychological repercussions related to cognitive functioning and personality problem. Hence, the Health Psychologists have a significant role to play through behavioral interventions that regulate eating behavior, and psychological interventions to address their low self esteem and cognitive functioning. He suggested that the Centre should come up with strategies for the policy makers to tackle the problem in a holistic way. It should take it up as an urban health programme.
Shri L V Subramanyam speaking at the seminar
Prof. B. C. Muthayya in his Foundation lecture said that the country needs Health Psychologists and that the Centre for Health Psychology is doing yeomen service in this area. He stated that though the Centre is only six year old, could carve a niche in the field of Psychology by publishing three books and over 80 research papers in the field.
Prof. E Haribabu, Pro VC, UoH felicitating Shri L V Subramanyam
Prof. E. Haribabu, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, University of Hyderabad presides over the function. Prof. Meena Hariharan founder Director of the Centre and Organizing Secretary spoke about the contributions of the Centre.
Dr. G. Padmaja and Dr Suvashisa Rana are coordinators of the seminar. The seminar received 50 research papers from delegates all over the country.