Kids are the “brand ambassadors” to fight against childhood obesity.

Pune : JT Obesity Foundation, in collaboration with club of koregaon park, Apollo spectra hospital, O clinic, Sahyadri hospital and Navneet prakashan initiated an activity name “Evolve 2018 : Fat to Fit. Chief guest, Hon, Padmashree Dr. D.Y. Patil (Ex – Governor Bihar & West Bengal) & Guest of honour Hon. Shri. Hanmantrao Gaikwad (Chairman, BVG Group).The highlighting part is kids were award ceremony for drawing competition held in schools in Pune, District on the topic “Fight Childhood Obesity”. Along with the exhibition of 100 best drawings, Confidence walk done by those who have overcome obesity and are fighting against it.

This time kids are the messengers, they will spread awareness on obesity. Thus, keeping that in mind JT foundation decided to organize a drawing competition in 45 schools from Pune city. Till now 15000 entries have been confirmed and looking forward for more. This drawing competition has obesity as a theme, wherein kids will think, conceptualize and draw what they think about obesity and healthy habits.

One of the best strategies to reduce childhood obesity was initiated by Dr. Jayashree Todkar, Asia’s first lady bariatric surgeon who started ‘fight obesity campaign’ since last 15 years. Under this campaign they come with various activities to create awareness the crucial obesity element of the society & its scientific treatments.

Dr. Jayashree Todkar, Director of Jt Foundation & Leading Bariatric Surgeon said, “This is further in line with fight childhood obesity campaign which was inaugurated on 16th November 2017, where honorable Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis launched the campaign and now we taking it to another level. Focusing on the societies crucial element that is child, where we can educate them about obesity and ask them to spread the word in the society. Child is the messenger to the family and also the first victim. So to engage them in this program we decided to plan a drawing competition in Pune schools with obesity as a theme. So here we divided kids in two groups, fifth to seventh in group A and eight to tenth group B.”

“Before starting the competition kids were shown documentary about obesity, different lectures were organized and then kids were asked to draw as 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 ambassadors… 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.” added 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 a lifetime. This initiative will surely make kids aware about the disease.”