By Joseph Varghese/Staff Reporter

At a time when Qatar has launched initiatives to curb obesity among the population, over 25,000 individuals have successfully undergone weight reduction in the country during the past four years.

“These individuals are from 39 nationalities out of whom 70% are Qataris,” Vandana Luthra, founder of VLCC, a leading beauty and wellness programme centre, told Gulf Times yesterday.

“They look completely transformed once they complete the process and there are people who have lost 30 to 40kg after joining the programme,” she explained while reiterating that sudden and drastic weight loss is not advisable.

“Our programme is a steady one that gives room for 4 to 5kg weight loss per month which amounts to 1 to 1.5kg per week. Once they complete the programme, the participants ought to lead a proper activity-based life and not a sedentary one.

“They must have physical activity for 45 minutes per day. They also must stick to a balanced diet, rich in fibre and low in fat with adequate amount of nutrients.”

There has been no case of complication with the programme, Luthra maintained. "Sometimes, the weight loss can be low. People who are depressed might be slow in losing weight. The programme has 85% success and the other 15% has slow progress. We counsel the participants as counselling is a very important part of the programme. Similarly, drop-out of the programme is also very low.”

The programme is tailor- made according to individual needs, stated the VLCC founder.

“We get an assessment about a person from various experts involved in the process. According to the body composition analysis, we decide on the length of the programme.”

“Now we are going to launch a new test called DNA fitness, a study about genes which tells what type of genes a person has and why people are prone to obesity and what type of food they must have and many more,” she said while stressing that VLCC’s is “a medically monitored and scientific programme."

“As per the latest international records, 60% women and 48% men are obese. About 30,000 to 40,000kg of weight is being reduced every month through VLCC centres.”

Luthra pointed out that VLCC is a strategic partner with Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) in some of its programmes. QOC has a weight loss programme in connection with the National Sport Day and VLCC helps the organisation in this regard.

VLCC, operational in Qatar since 2011, currently has four centres and a fifth one is to be opened soon. Launched in 1989 in India, VLCC is present in 16 countries and produces 126 products in skin, body and haircare.

“In India alone, more than 10mn people have undergone VLCC’s weight reduction programme,” Luthra added.

 

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