Certificate Course in Obesity Prevention and Management (CCOPM)

Obesity, an established public health problem in the developed world, is fast becoming an important issue in the
developing countries as well, as confirmed by numerous studies. For instance, the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration
(NCD-RisC) looked at the trends in adult body-mass index in 200 countries from 1975 to 2014. It found that global
age-standardized mean BMI increased from 21.7 kg/m² in 1975 to 24.2 kg/m² in 2014 in men, and from 22.1 kg/m²
in 1975 to 24.4 kg/m² in 2014 in women. Age-standardized prevalence of obesity increased from 3.2% in 1975 to
10.8% in 2014 in men, and from 6.4% to 14.9% in women. 2.3% of the world’s men and 5.0% of women were
severely obese (i.e. BMI ≥35 kg/m²). In India, the estimated prevalence of obesity was 3.2% in men and 5.1% in
women, while that of overweight was 16.4% in men and 15.5% in women. Obesity affects the quality of life,
increases the risk of illness, and raises health-care costs in countries in all parts of the world. From a public health
perspective, obesity is a major risk factor for a range of chronic diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular
diseases and cancer. According to one modeling study, morbid obesity shortens life expectancy by approximately
10 years and moderate obesity by approximately three years. Mortality results from the several diseases that are
associated with obesity, including diabetes, chronic kidney disease, gastrointestinal disease, and cardiovascular
disease. Maintaining weight loss is often difficult or unsuccessful. Obesity management is expensive. Medical
costs rise progressively as BMI increases and are expected to continue to rise in the next 15 years. It has been
estimated that obesity is second only to depression in its cost to employers. Obesity has a multifactorial nature
resulting from genetic, epigenetic, physiological, behavioral, sociocultural, and environmental factors that lead to
an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure during an extended time period. Numerous interventions
can be recommended to people with overweight or obesity, such as dietary modifications, physical activity,
behavioral changes, pharmacological treatment, and bariatric surgery. General practitioners and
multidisciplinary support teams play a crucial role in helping patients achieve sustainable weight loss. Patients
trust the advice of primary care providers on weight management, but various barriers hinder the effective
counseling and treatment of patients with overweight or obesity. Physicians and other health professionals often
lack training in the behavioral counseling and interdisciplinary team work that is necessary for a comprehensive lifestyle intervention. Considering the crucial role of primary care physicians in the prevention and management
of obesity, Chellaram Diabetes Institute (CDI) and Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) have developed a new
online course – “Certificate Course in Obesity Prevention and Management (CCOPM)”.

The course has been divided into six modules and is presented in video format for easy learning. There are case
studies, instructive videos and activities interspersed in the modules to provide an enhanced learning experience.

• Introductory Aspects of Obesity

• Secondary Causes of Obesity

• Approach to a Patient with Obesity

• Diet and Lifestyle Modification in Obesity Management

• Role of Pharmacotherapy and Bariatric Surgery in Obesity Management

• Special Topics in Obesity

Dr. A. G. Unnikrishnan

MD, DM (Endocrinology), DNB, MNAMS

Dr. Shailesh R. Deshpande

MD (Preventive and Social Medicine)

Dr. Vedavati Purandare

MD (Medicine)

Dr. Neeraj Rayate

MS (General Surgery), DNB (General Surgery), Fellowship in Surgical Gastroentorology

Dr. Satish Pattanshetti

MS (General Surgery), Fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery

Dr. Geeta Dharmatti

MSc (Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics), PhD, RD

Download – Obesity Single Page Brochure

Download – Obesity Brochure for Indian Participants 

Download – Obesity Brochure for International Participants