Emphasising the need to use weight-reducing drugs carefully, Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh called for a whole-of-society approach to combat obesity effectively.
Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day Asia Oceania Conference on Obesity (AOCO) in New Delhi, he said obesity is a complex, chronic and relapsing disorder, and not merely a cosmetic or lifestyle concern.
Highlighting that 63 per cent of deaths in India are linked to non-communicable diseases, which are, in one way or another, related to obesity, the minister cautioned against the growing commercialisation and misinformation surrounding obesity management.
What is obesity?
Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. A body mass index (BMI) over 25 is considered overweight, and over 30 is obese.
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As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), obesity was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024. Without decisive action, the number of people with obesity is projected to double by 2030.
Recently, the WHO released its first guideline on the use of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) therapies for treating obesity as a chronic, relapsing disease.
“Obesity is a major global health challenge that WHO is committed to addressing by supporting countries and people worldwide to control it effectively and equitably. Our new guidance recognizes that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
Prevention strategies:
Lowering the risk of overweight and obesity involves reducing the number of calories consumed from fats and sugars, increasing the portion of daily intake from fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and nuts.
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Along with this, engaging in regular physical activity (60 minutes per day for children and 150 minutes per week for adults) is also important to steer clear of being obese.
