About 100 obese patients yesterday set out from I-Da Hospital in Yanchao District (燕巢), Greater Kaohsiung, to participate in the first Asia Obesity Walk, which began with a signature event aiming to show the participants’ determination.
The patients are to embark on a range of cardio workouts over four days and three nights, including cycling, speed-walking and mountaineering, while a team of physicians from around the world oversees the event.
I-Da Bariatric and Metabolic International Surgery Center director Huang Chih-kun (黃致錕) said large speed-walking events have been held in the US for some years, such as the Walk From Obesity events,which are held in New York and Boston and usually continue for several hours.
Photo: Su Fu-nan, Taipei Times
During the events, doctors, people who have had surgery due to obesity and others are invited to share their experience with overcoming weight issues.
Huang said that although it was the first time that such an activity would be held in an Asian country, it would last for much longer than those in the US.
According to Huang, the route of the “walk” is from Greater Kaohsiung, then traces a southerly route to Pingtung County, before passing through Taitung County and concluding in Hualien County.
The route has been planned this way because the proportion of overweight people in these four areas is much higher than those in other areas, with more than 40 percent of residents identified as overweight.
“Of the people contracting obesity-related diseases, Aborigines in Hualien and Taitung account for the largest proportion, perhaps due to a genetic trait or a lack of awareness about the illnesses,” Huang said.
Referencing hospital statistics, which show that of about 2,500 patients who underwent surgery due to weight-related diseases or diabetes, 10 percent come from Hualien or Taitung counties, he said, adding that the phenomenon could be linked to a shortage of medical resources, a problem that has plagued the area for many years.
The event saw the participation of medical teams from South Korea, India, Singapore, the Philippines and Hong Kong.
A participant surnamed Yen (嚴) said he once weighed 155kg and had difficulties finding a job.
Thanks to I-Da Hospital, where he underwent bariatric surgery, he now weighs 95kg and works as a photographer for online merchants, Yen said.
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