When Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani's youngest son Anant Ambani spoke about his long battle with health issues since childhood, his dad couldn't control his tears. At his recent pre-wedding ceremony with Radhika Merchant, Anant said, “My life wasn't always entirely a bed of roses. I have also experienced the pain of thorns and experienced many health crises since childhood, but my father and mother have always stood by me.” A few years ago, his mother Nita Ambani opened up about his health issues to a national daily.
Nita said that the youngster was highly asthmatic since childhood and his parents had to put him on a lot of steroids. The medication's side effect was his getting obese. It is common for doctors to prescribe oral steroids for serious asthma issues. At one point, he weighed about 208 kgs. The health condition also resulted in him not being able to exercise much and the medications triggered hunger as well. Despite all that, Anant famously transformed himself in 2016, losing around 108 kgs in 18 months. He used to exercise for around six hours daily at that point.
However, around 2020, a video footage, leaked from Radhika Merchant's birthday celebrations, saw an Anant who had re-gained his weight. He was also massively trolled and fat-shamed by many on social media. According to many reports, his health conditions again played a role in him regaining the lost weight. Experts say that certain medications like 'corticosteroids,' which are used in asthma treatment, can cause heavy fluid retention when taken in high doses. The degree of weight gain can vary depending on the person and not everyone taking them might experience the same.
His weight-loss strategy didn't work the second time: Anant Ambani's doctor
In a conversation with a national TV channel, Anant Ambani's doctor and Bariatric surgeon Dr Muffazal Lakdawala said that the youngster struggled with obesity since his childhood. The doctor said that at the age of 2, Anant was diagnosed with asthma. Interestingly, his 2016 weight loss wasn't through short-term solutions, said the doctor. He went on to a below 500 kilo-calorie diet, he was exercising regularly and it fetched results. However, the doctor said that the weight-lose strategy didn't work the second time he gained weight. When your body is predisposed to obesity, it will always try to pull you back to your previous weight, said Dr Lakdawala, adding that regardless, Anant is positive about overcoming his health issues.