PANAJI: With frequent reports in the media that talk about women going in for the 'size zero' figure, doctors and health experts in the state expressed concern that the trend might lead to an increase in an unhealthy obsession over losing weight and the possible resultant damage to health of those concerned.

"Already, around two to three per cent of the Goan population is obsessed with reducing their weight to a unhealthy body mass. The trend is more common among women. It is normal for the affected young girls to skip upto two meals a day, coupled with vigorous exercise. Some of these are as young as fifteen," said a city-based nutritionist Sheryll Afonsa D'Souza, adding "The trend is very dangerous as it can lead to a deficiency of vitamins and calcium. This can result in chronic illnesses at an early age."

Prominent Panaji-based surgeon Dr Shekhar Salkar agreed, "It started with the ramp walk and today the trend is set to catch up following frequent reports over Kareena Kapoor's size zero figure. At times, girls are also seen opting for smoking as they believe this will aid in losing weight and go to the extent of putting their health at risk."
Dr Salkar informed that the standard diet of any normal human being should consist of 1000 to 5000 calories per day. "The zero figure is a western trend which means the girl will have a figure of 31.5-23-32. Such adventure can lead to complications during the pregnancy in later years of life. The aging process enhances. The skin loses texture and the face gets wrinkled," Dr Salkar said.

Nobert D'Souza, owner of the popular Panaji-based gymnasium Neomi's Fitness Centre said, "Majority of the ladies that come here are here to lose weight. They opt for the weight loss programme," he said. D'Souza informed that there are also men that enrol for the weight loss programme, but they are mostly inclined to have slimmer waistlines alone.
Manuel Agostinha De Souza, executive officer at the Goa Mariott Resort and Spa and a personal trainer, said, "We have 480 local club members between the age group of 21 to 55 years. We do have members that want to look as slim as a certain film star. Most of them are women. And almost every other person that joins wants to be as slim as possible. I have come across cases that go on crash diets with hazardous results."

The president of the chemists and druggists' association of Goa, Ratnadeep Kurtarkar, said, "The number of ayurvedic drugs in the market that promise to help you lose weight within a short span is increasing. These cost Rs 10 to Rs 15 per tablet and have to be taken twice a day which means they have to spend upto Rs 1,000 per month."

Gynaecologist Dr Sydney Pinto Rosario, advised, "Women should avoid attempting to lose weight while they are pregnant. Women also run a higher risk of becoming anemic if they go on crash diets. Any weight loss should be gradual and a combination of diet and physical exercises should be used for the purpose.''