Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Indian Experts Urge Chronic-Disease Approach to Obesity Care
Health experts in India say obesity is a long-term disease, not simply a problem of willpower.
They say many different things can affect a person’s weight and health.
These include genes, body processes, surroundings, mental health and money-related conditions.
Because people are different, the same treatment will not work for everyone.
Healthy food and physical activity are still important.
Some people may also need medicines, counseling, procedures or surgery.
Doctors say BMI alone does not show the full health risk for Indian patients.
The experts want people with obesity to receive respectful care without shame or blame.
India’s obesity experts have described obesity as a chronic, progressive and relapsing disease requiring long-term care.
A joint document from OSSI and ESI calls for treatment tailored to disease severity and individual health needs.
The experts say obesity reflects genetic, metabolic, endocrine, environmental, psychological, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors.
They caution that BMI alone should not determine treatment because Indians may develop complications at lower BMI levels.
Recommended care may include lifestyle changes, psychological support, medications, endoscopic therapies and bariatric surgery.
- Who
- The Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society of India, the Endocrine Society of India and contributing health experts.
- What
- They issued a joint expert document recommending personalised, stigma-free and long-term obesity care.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- To replace blame-focused advice with evidence-based treatment that reflects obesity’s complex causes and the metabolic risks faced by Indians.
Traditional Approach
Expert Consensus
How obesity should be understood
Traditional Approach
The traditional message focuses mainly on eating less and exercising more, often implying that weight results from personal choices or willpower.
Expert Consensus
The experts describe obesity as a chronic disease influenced by genetic, metabolic, endocrine, environmental, psychological, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors.
How treatment should be selected
Traditional Approach
A rigid, weight-focused approach may treat BMI or body weight as the main basis for care.
Expert Consensus
The consensus says assessment should look beyond BMI and treatment should reflect disease severity, overall health and individual needs.
Role of treatment options
Traditional Approach
Lifestyle changes may be viewed as the primary or competing alternative to medical procedures.
Expert Consensus
The experts say lifestyle measures, medications, endoscopic therapies and surgery are different tools that can be used at different stages.
- Organizations
- Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society of India and Endocrine Society of India
- Disease description
- Obesity is described as chronic, progressive and relapsing.
- Assessment
- BMI or body weight alone should not determine treatment.
- Indian risk
- Indians may develop type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease at comparatively lower BMI levels and younger ages than Western populations.
- Treatment options
- Lifestyle measures, psychological support, medications, endoscopic therapies, and metabolic or bariatric surgery.
- Broader measures
- The consensus supports clearer food labelling, healthier school environments and public awareness initiatives.
- Care principle
- Treatment should be personalised and may change as a patient’s health needs evolve.