Struggles of an Indian Couple Raising Three Obese Children

In a heart-wrenching tale of desperation, a father in Gujarat, India, has shed light on the challenges of finding life-saving treatments for his three severely obese children. Faced with an unprecedented crisis, he even contemplated the unimaginable decision of selling his own children. This family’s ordeal sheds light on the urgent need for accessible healthcare and support systems to address cases of extreme obesity and provide necessary interventions.

The father, Rameshbhai Nandwana, 34, is grappling with an agonizing reality as his daughters, Yogita and Apisha, aged five and three, along with their 18-month-old son, Harsh, rank among the heaviest young children globally. Weighing 34kg (5 stone 5 pounds), 48kg (7 stone 8 pounds), and 15kg (2 stone 5 pounds) respectively, the amount of food these children consume in a week could feed two families for a month.

Facing a daunting challenge, Mr. Nandwana even contemplated the unthinkable act of selling his children to afford life-saving treatment. The family’s dire circumstances have led them to seek medical help and consult numerous doctors, only to be referred to larger hospitals they cannot afford. With a monthly income of just Rs 3000 (£35), Mr. Nandwana, a daily wage laborer, struggles to provide enough food to satisfy his children’s voracious appetites.

Yogita and Apisha’s daily consumption includes an astounding amount of food: 18 chapatis, 3 pounds of rice, two bowls of broth, six packets of crisps, five packs of biscuits, 12 bananas, and a liter of milk. Their extreme hunger keeps their mother, Pragna Ben, 30, spending most of her day in the kitchen preparing meals.

Despite the family’s meager income, Mr. Nandwana spends approximately Rs 10,000 (£110) per month on food for his children, borrowing money from relatives and friends when needed.

Over the past three years, Mr. Nandwana has spent Rs 50,000 (£540) on doctors’ visits and treatments, yet his children’s condition remains unchanged. The family’s plight spotlights the dire circumstances faced by parents who cannot afford life-saving treatments for their children.

As parents, it pains them immensely to witness their children’s struggle to move. They are unable to walk or perform basic activities on their own. Miss Ben, who is physically unable to lift her children, watches them struggle while her husband is at work.

This family’s story underscores the urgent need for accessible healthcare and support systems to address extreme obesity cases and provide necessary interventions. The Naṁdwana family’s experience highlights the challenges faced by families in underserved communities and emphasizes the need for assistance to save young lives and alleviate their suffering.

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