We talk about diabetes. We fear heart disease. We keep tabs on cholesterol and blood pressure. But there’s one health issue that links them all and we still don’t take it seriously: Obesity.
According to the latest ICMR and NFHS reports, more than 135 million Indians are now living with obesity. What’s alarming is that this rise isn’t limited to big cities alone, it’s spreading rapidly in villages too, touching people of all ages, from young adults to the elderly [1].
Yet, despite the huge personal and economic cost, obesity is still seen as a matter of “willpower” rather than a public health crisis. We wouldn’t treat high blood pressure with motivational posters, so why are we doing that with obesity?
The Real Price of Ignoring Obesity in India
According to the WHO and the Indian Ministry of Health:
- Obesity increases the risk of type 2 diabetes
- Doubles the chance of heart attacks and strokes
- Raises the likelihood of infertility, PCOS, sleep apnea, and even certain cancers
- It is linked to depression, low productivity, and early disability in working-age populations
Did you know India spends over ₹3 lakh crore every year on obesity-related health costs?
Obesity isn’t just a health problem; it affects the country’s economic status as well. From hospital bills and medicines to lost workdays. This burden is only growing, and it’s not sustainable.
What’s worse, most people with obesity are diagnosed late. And even then, they’re usually told to “eat less and exercise more” instead of being offered proper medical care. But science now shows that biological, doctor-led treatments can deliver far better long-term results.
It’s time India moved away from reactive care, treating the complications after they appear and embraced proactive obesity management by targeting the root cause.
Why Obesity Isn’t About Willpower?
The most common myth? That people with obesity just need to “eat less and move more.”
But modern science tells a different story: obesity is a complex medical condition, not a failure of discipline. It’s influenced by multiple biological and environmental factors, such as:
- Genetics – some people are naturally more prone to storing fat and feel hungrier.
- Hormonal imbalances – hormones like leptin and ghrelin, which control appetite, can go out of sync.
- Gut–brain connection – when signals between the gut and brain misfire, it affects hunger and fullness.
- Lifestyle and environment – stress, poor sleep, and even early-life exposures can reprogram how our bodies manage weight.
Put simply, obesity alters how the body processes food, stores fat, and signals hunger, making sustained weight loss through willpower alone nearly impossible for many. That’s why, globally, health systems are beginning to treat obesity as a biological condition that requires medical evaluation, clinical staging, and in some cases, prescription medication. In India, this shift is only beginning. With the introduction of new evidence-based obesity treatments, we now have the possibility to redefine how we help people lose weight safely and sustainably.
Science Has Moved Ahead & It’s Time Our Approach Did Too
We now have decades of data from randomized controlled trials to real-world studies showing that obesity treatments like semaglutide, tirzepatide, and various other emerging therapies can result in:
- 15% or more body weight reduction [2]
- Improved blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, and liver health
- Lower risk of cardiovascular events (heart attacks and strokes)
- Better mental well-being and quality of life
Globally, leading health authorities, including NICE (UK) and AACE (US), have already included semaglutide in their standard obesity care guidelines. If India adopts these innovations responsibly, under proper medical supervision, we could dramatically reduce obesity-related diseases in the next decade.
This isn’t luxury medicine. It’s modern, science-backed healthcare for India’s future.
Read the full story on India’s new anti-obesity drug breakthrough
What Needs to Change to Tackle India’s Obesity Crisis?
A Call to Policymakers, Doctors, and Society. India is at a turning point. To tackle obesity, we need to change how we think and how we act:
- Recognize obesity as a medical condition and not a “failure of willpower.”
- Equip doctors and healthcare workers with training in evidence-based obesity care, including safe, modern treatments.
- Include obesity in India’s health policies, from NCD programs and insurance coverage to routine health check-ups.
- Shift public messaging from blame and shame to science and support.
Above all, we must give patients the right to seek medical help without judgment and ensure they’re taken seriously when they do.
If we wait until obesity becomes a bigger crisis, it will cost us not just money, but lives and livelihoods. The future of India’s health depends on decisions we make today, not just about what’s on our plate, but how we care for every Indian struggling with weight.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for public awareness. Obesity treatment should be discussed with a qualified medical professional, as options vary by individual case and health status.
(The article is written by Monalisa Deka, Senior Health Content Editor and is reviewed by Dr. Swati Mishra,Director (Clinical Health & Content)
References
- Venkatrao M, Nagarathna R, Majumdar V, et al. Prevalence of obesity in India and its neurological implications: a multifactor analysis of a nationwide cross-sectional study. Ann Neurosci. 2021;27(3–4):153-61. Available online at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8455012/
- Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. STEP 1 Study Group. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. N Engl J Med. 2021;384(11):989-1002. Available online at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33567185/