ILANTHALIR KAAPOM ~A Holistic

Approach
PROJECT TITLE

ILANTHALIR KAPPOM~A
HOLISTIC APPROACH

PLACE OF
IMPLEMENTATION

TAMILNADU

PROJECT DURATION

3 YEARS

INTRODUCTION
Objective
This proposal is submitted in conjunction with the invitation
from the State Planning commission Tamil Nadu Government
calling for innovative proposals in the Indian systems of
Medicine.

Target
Prevention of Non Communicable Diseases by Optimization
of healthier body and mind in school going kids in a holistic
approach. The proposal is set to be in line with the goals of
NHM i.e. Revitalization of AYUSH systems and rejuvenation of
lifestyles

Bacground
INDIA, being one of the faced paced developing countries in
the world is undergoing enormous changes because of the
expansion in economy and population. This indeed has started to
change the life of the people pushing the population towards the
urban from the rural areas. Quoting Gandhi,

ILANTHALIR KAAPOM ~A Holistic

Approach
Farmers are the back bones of our country.
But the recent changes have pushed the agro centric economy of
India towards other sectors. The raise in GDP has helped the
people to settle in more sedentary jobs and thereby the lifestyle
has also changed drastically.
Increased urban population has led to
Global consumerisation
Huge spending capacity
Sedentary lifestyle
Advertisement driven food habits
Childhood Obesity
Thereby, high rate of non communicable diseases.

Statistics on Obesity
Globally, the prevalence of childhood obesity has risen in the
recent years.
The IASO and the IOTF estimate that 200 million school
children are either overweight or obese1.
WHO states that around 42 million children are affected by
obesity and 31 million of them are living in developing
countries. Every year 2.6 million people die as a result of
being overweight or obesity2
1 Prevalence of childhood obesity all over the world, IOTF
2 WHO report on global strategy on Diet, Physical activity and Health.

ILANTHALIR KAAPOM ~A Holistic

Approach
In India, prevalence of obesity in children of age group 1318 has grown from 16% to 29% over the last five years. We
are the third most obese country in the world especially 15
million children are overweight in urban India 3.
In TAMILNADU 2 or 3 of every child has obese or overweight 4
19% of children in Tamilnadu have a higher BMI. This is
highest in comparison with other states MAHARASTRA (14%),
MADYAPRADESH (10%), GUJARAT (15%), and KERALA (18%)5
In Salem, the prevalence of obesity is higher in rural area.
13.6% children of rural area are affected by obesity, where
as in urban it is 11.33 %. Girls are mostly affected than
boys6
In Chennai, 21.4% of private school children are found to be
obese/overweight, where as in govt schools it is 3.6% 7.
A pilot study in predictive factors for overweight or obesity in
school children of Coimbatore shows girls had higher BMI
than boys8

Why are we targeting Obesity?

Malnourishment, the leading factor for over/ under nourished
kids prevails in India largely due to the lack of public
3 Times of India, dated July 4, 2015.
4 The Hindu, dated Jan 13, 2016
5 Time of India, dated Nov 28, 2013
6 Research paper by T Kowsalya, B. Parimalavalli, Dept of Food Science & Nutrition,
Periyar Univ, Salem.
7 Indian Paediatrics Net, July 2014-544-599, Mohan Diabetes Centre and Research
Foundation, Chennai
8 Dept. of Environmental Science, Bharathiyar Univ and GEM Hospital

ILANTHALIR KAAPOM ~A Holistic

Approach
awareness in providing a balanced diet to the children.
Globalization has lead to the introduction of unhealthier food
choices in the urban and rural areas indirectly pushing them
towards obesity.
Obesity is the main reason for major Non communicable
diseases like Cancers, Diabetes, Hypertension, Renal
Impairments, Cardiac conditions, stress induced mental
impairments etc.
The table below shows the systemic disruptions caused
mainly due to obesity.
S/
N

SYSTEM

DISEASE/ SYMPTOM

CARDIO-VASCULAR

Hypertension, Atherosclerosis.

ENDOCRINE

Diabetes, PCOs

RESPIRATORY

Asthma

RENAL

Renal Disorders

GASTRO INTESTINAL

Gallstones, Fatty liver

PSYCOLOGICAL

Depression, ADHD, Eating / Learning

disorders

ILANTHALIR KAAPOM ~A Holistic

Approach
According to the WHO INDIA profile 2014, NCDS account for
53% of disease burden and 60% of the total deaths in the
country9.
The central and state governments of India have been
allocating crores of funds every year for the targeted goals in
the National Health Mission. This proposal aims to provide a
cost effective solution to reduce the financial burden of the
individual as well as the government.
As children are our future, investing in their health will lead
to high socio-economic returns and a healthier workforce in
future.
Why Holistic Approach?
Major eating disorders like bulimia in children are caused due
to mental stress. Approaching the children holistically
(physical/ mental) is the only way to obtain the desired
goals. As mentioned by Thirumoolar in our siddha literature,
Thirumanthiram
kdkJ nrk;ikahdhy; ke;jpuQ; nrgpf;fNtz;lh
kdkJ nrk;ikahdhy; thAit Aah;j;jNtz;lh
kdkJ nrk;ikahdhy thrpia epWj;jNtz;lh
kdkJ nrk;ikahdhy ke;jpuKk; nrk;ikahNk.
Holistic approach is the applicable solution to nip the bud.

Necessity of the project:

9 Times of India , Dated Feb 20, 2016.

ILANTHALIR KAAPOM ~A Holistic

Approach
WHOs ECHO panel I10 recommends the following to control
childhood obesity:
1) To implement a comprehensive program that promotes the
intake of healthy foods and reduce the intake of unhealthy foods
and sugar sweetened beverages by children and adolescents.
2) To implement comprehensive programs those promote physical
activity and reduce sedentary behavior in children and
adolescents.
3) To implement comprehensive programs those promote healthy
school environment, health and nutrition literacy
ILANTHALIR KAPPOM project is in line with the recommendations
of ECHO panel I and it is a cost effective scheme for the
government and individual. By reviving our traditional food, sports
and life styles, treating diseases with siddha medicines will be the
apt way to reach our goal in a cost effective method.

PROGRAM PROPOSAL
Stake Holders:
Kids, Parents, Healthcare Personnel,
Canteen Vendors, Farmers, TN Government
Outline:

10 Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity (ECHO), WHO

School

Staff,

ILANTHALIR KAAPOM ~A Holistic

Approach
M e d ic a
l &s c
h o o ls ta ff , P
a re n ts

c hoo
S
l Ch
i ld re n

I E
C Ma t e
r ia ls

Ag
egr o
u p :6

-1 4
y r s

I E
C Ma t e
r ia ls

A g e g ro u
p : 6 -1 4 y rs

M e d ic a
l &s c
h o o ls ta ff , P
a re n ts

Sc h
o o lC h il d
r e
n

TR
A IN IN G /E D U C
AT
I O
N

SCR
EE
N IN G

In the inception level ,the program will be introduced in 10

schools/ district and in the II and III year the program will be
introduced in another 20 schools/ district in a phased manner.
The project is aimed to target the school going children of
age group 8 -14
Promoting the lifestyle/ food habits as specified in the Siddha
Literature, PATHARTHAGUNA SINTHAMANI
Revitalizing traditional games that improves physical and
mental health in children
Training to set up herbal gardens, bringing them out from
their sedentary hours.
Yearly evaluation , recommendations, follow ups
Siddha medical intervention, if necessary
Budget: **

Conclusion:

ILANTHALIR KAAPOM ~A Holistic

Approach
The above proposal is submitted in concurrence with
achieving our TamilNadu Chief Ministers goal of leading
TamilNadu in the pathway of tsk;, tsh;r;rp, mikjp, and
thereby a model state in India.
Neha;ehb Neha;Kjy;ehb mJjzpf;Fk;
tha;ehb tha;g;gr; nray;.