Dear Colleague,
Obesity is a major health problem of the modern times. Presently, the prevalence of obesity is soaring in most countries. The lifestyle interventional therapy required to address the problem of obesity needs concerted efforts by all categories of health care professionals. Pharmacotherapy of obesity is beset with great degree of obsolescence; as drugs devised are often discovered to produce unacceptable side effects.
This meeting was being planned for the past 2 years. In the interim phase, the economic meltdown and Mumbai terror attacks compounded our problems. Against these odds, we had to construct a scientific program, exhibiting a good blend of basic science and clinical practice. We also needed to balance regional aspirations. This was a daunting task, considering the involvement of a large, high level global faculty in the meeting. We have assembled a program based upon our perceptions of relative importance of various subtopics and availability of the faculty. We request you to judge the contents of this meeting in the light of these constraints.
Amongst the vast array of medical diseases, obesity holds a challenging position. Neither its etiology nor its management is fully worked out. In the meanwhile, cheats and chalrtans are having their sway in this field. It will take the next 2-3 decades of good scientific work to throw some light on this subject. This conference is a miniscule effort towards this herculean task.
I must acknowledge the assistance and support of my colleagues in the scientific committee who constantly supported me in fulfilling this task. Specifically, assistance of Dr. Vijay Negalur, Ms. Sonal Modi and Ms. Rishika Jain needs to be acknowledged. Dr. Raman Goel is to be credited for making the plan of the surgical track.
The end results are in front of you.
Hemraj B. Chandalia
Chairman, Scientific committee
AOCO-09
