“She Tried Everything, But Nothing Worked…”
For years, Meera believed her weight was proof of weakness. Every new diet felt like a fresh start, “ this time will be different, she told herself”. But within weeks, the cycle repeated: lose a little, gain back more.
The shame weighed heavier than the kilos. Friends and family told her, “Just eat less, move more.” Slowly, she began to believe it was all her fault.
What Meera didn’t know was that obesity isn’t about laziness, bad choices, or lack of willpower. It is now recognized globally, including by the World Health Organization, the American Medical Association, and Indian medical associations, as a chronic, relapsing disease, driven by complex interactions between genetics, hormones, neurobiology, environment, and behavior.
When Meera finally learned this, everything changed. She stopped blaming herself and started seeking medical support instead of chasing quick fixes. And for the first time, she understood: obesity is not a personal failure. It’s a health condition that deserves compassion, care, and evidence-based treatment just like diabetes or hypertension
What Science Says — Not Just Calories In, Calories Out
The old belief that obesity is simply the result of eating too much and moving too little has been debunked.
Modern research shows that obesity is deeply rooted in how the brain and body regulate hunger, fullness, fat storage, and metabolism. Key players include:
-Leptin: A hormone that signals satiety, often becomes resistant to obesity.
-Ghrelin: The “hunger hormone” is often elevated, making people feel hungry even after meals.
-Insulin resistance: Leads to fat accumulation and energy imbalance.
-Genetic predisposition: Accounts for up to 70% of individual weight variability [1].
Why Treating Obesity Needs Medical Solutions & Not Just Willpower
Obesity isn’t a matter of willpower. Just like other chronic diseases, it often needs structured medical care: clinical assessment, nutrition guidance, psychological support, and yes, sometimes prescription therapies.
Over the past decade, breakthrough anti-obesity medications have changed the landscape. Drugs based on molecules like semaglutide, tirzepatide, and others in the GLP-1/GIP agonist class target obesity biologically, not just behaviorally. It works by regulating hunger and appetite centers in the brain, helping the body achieve sustained weight loss, often over 15% of body weight [2,3].
They are scientifically validated and globally approved therapies that can drastically reduce risks of heart disease, stroke, fatty liver, infertility, PCOS, and depression, conditions commonly linked to untreated obesity.
When Society Weighs You Down More Than the Scale
India has over 135 million people living with obesity, and the numbers are rising rapidly due to urbanization, processed food environments, sleep deprivation, and sedentary lifestyles. But more dangerous than the disease itself is how it’s perceived [4].
People with obesity face discrimination in schools, offices, clinics, and even families. This stigma:
-Prevents people from seeking timely help
-Leads to depression, low self-worth, and disordered eating
-Makes patients feel ashamed of asking for medical options
The result? People suffer in silence, even when effective medical solutions exist.
From Stigma to Solution & Support
If you are living with excess weight and struggling — or if you know someone who is — here are three truths to remember:
1. Obesity is not your fault. It’s a medical condition with biological roots.
2. You deserve treatment, not judgment. Ask your doctor about options that go beyond diets and exercise.
3. You are not alone. Millions worldwide are accessing new medical therapies and regaining control of their health.
Obesity isn’t about looking good. It’s about feeling well, living longer, and being heard.
Let’s replace stigma with science. And silence with solutions.
Disclaimer: This article is for public awareness only. Any weight loss treatment should be initiated by a licensed medical professional based on a clinical evaluation.
References
1. Loos RJF. Genetic determinants of common obesity and their value in prediction. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2012;26(2):211-26. Available online at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1521690X11001503
2. Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. NEJM 2021; 384:989–1002. Available online at: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
3. Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, et al. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. NEJM 2022; 387:205–216. Available online at: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2206038
4. 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/