R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, OCT 15
Can obesity be tackled effectively without treating it merely as a battle against the weighing scale? MGM Healthcare Malar, Adyar, is betting on a more comprehensive answer: identify the underlying metabolic problems, bring multiple medical specialities under one roof and help patients achieve sustainable improvements in health. Its newly launched Metabolic Clinic aims to address obesity and related disorders through personalised, evidence-based treatment, with an emphasis on long-term metabolic health rather than weight loss alone.
- BEYOND WEIGHT LOSS: Endocrinologist-led programme targets obesity, diabetes, PCOS and associated metabolic complications
- MULTISPECIALTY FIREPOWER: Cardiology, pulmonology, hepatology, nutrition and physiotherapy converge for personalised care
- PRECISION-DRIVEN TREATMENT: Advanced body-composition analysis and GLP-1-based medicines, where clinically appropriate, complement lifestyle interventions
- REMISSION WITH A MISSION: Early diagnosis and individualised treatment aim to improve metabolic health and support remission of eligible conditions
- SUSTAINABLE HEALTH, NOT QUICK FIXES: Clinic prioritises long-term weight management, mobility, healthy habits and reduced cardiovascular risk
The programme addresses a wide spectrum of conditions, including prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels, cardiovascular risks, obstructive sleep apnoea, fatty liver disease and weight-related joint problems.
Rhevanth Charan P, MLA, Maduravoyal, inaugurated the clinic in the presence of Dr Kalpana Thai B, Medical Superintendent, MGM Healthcare Malar, Adyar; Dr Meherprasad Y.D., Senior Consultant Endocrinologist; and other members of the medical team.
An integrated assault on metabolic disorders
The clinic’s distinguishing feature is its endocrinologist-led approach, which places hormonal and metabolic health at the centre of weight-management decisions. Rather than treating excess weight as an isolated problem, the programme seeks to address the interconnected conditions that can complicate treatment and affect long-term health.
The programme is led by Dr Meherprasad Y.D., who has more than 30 years of experience in weight management. The supporting specialist team includes Dr Manohar G. in cardiology, Dr Ammaiyappan Palaniswamy C. in pulmonology and Dr Kavitha Sampathkumar in hepatology, along with dietitians and physiotherapists.
Cardiologists help assess and manage cardiovascular risks, while pulmonologists address obesity-associated respiratory conditions. Hepatology expertise supports the assessment and management of fatty liver disease. Dietitians provide individualised nutritional guidance, and physiotherapists help patients improve mobility and adopt suitable, sustainable physical-activity routines.
The clinic also uses advanced body-composition analysis to assess fat and muscle mass, helping specialists develop treatment plans tailored to individual needs. GLP-1-based medications may be considered where clinically appropriate, alongside customised dietary, physical-activity and other lifestyle interventions.
Early intervention, lasting health gains
Emphasising the importance of early diagnosis and coordinated care, Dr Meherprasad said:
“Metabolic problems such as excess weight, high blood sugar, abnormal cholesterol levels, and conditions such as PCOS are becoming increasingly common, affecting not just adults but also children and young adults. These conditions can increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disease over time. Hence, identifying them early and starting treatment is important. Our integrated approach enables the development of individualised treatment plans that address the multiple health challenges associated with obesity, promote sustainable weight management, and support the remission of eligible metabolic conditions.”
He added: “Our approach is to help patients achieve lasting weight loss through medical treatment, appropriate medication, and personalised lifestyle changes, reducing the need for surgery wherever possible. More importantly, we want patients to make healthy eating, regular physical activity, and other healthy habits a natural part of their everyday lives.”
Making comprehensive obesity care accessible
In a statement Venugopal Bhat, Chief Operating Officer and Vice President, Group Strategic Initiatives, MGM Healthcare Malar, Adyar, said:
“At MGM Malar, we believe that effective obesity care must go beyond weight loss to address the underlying metabolic factors and associated health conditions that affect a person’s overall well-being. Through this comprehensive multispecialty programme, we aim to provide personalised, evidence-based care that brings together nutritional guidance, appropriate physical activity, and specialist-led medical management. An important goal is to support remission of several metabolic conditions, wherever clinically achievable, while helping individuals make sustainable lifestyle changes, improve their metabolic health, and achieve better long-term health outcomes.”
With obesity increasingly recognised as a complex, multifactorial health challenge, the new clinic seeks to bring medical treatment, nutritional counselling and physical rehabilitation into a coordinated care pathway. Its emphasis on individualised treatment and sustained lifestyle changes reflects a broader shift towards managing the health consequences of obesity, not simply the number displayed on a weighing scale.