Call for a multi-specialty consensus on obesity management in India
Times of India | 25 September 2025This initiative aims to address one of the most pressing health challenges facing the country, with prevalence rising sharply across urban and rural communities and affecting individuals of all ages and genders.
Current approaches are often fragmented, with patients receiving compartmentalised treatment that does not fully address the complexity of obesity and its complications, the Association of Metabolic Obesity Physicians and Clinical Endocrinologists (AMOCE) pointed out.
While the focus on obesity is usually on excess body weight, doctors pointed out that it extends to a spectrum of complications, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, reproductive disorders, cancers, musculoskeletal problems, mental health conditions, and reduced quality of life.
"Despite this growing magnitude, obesity in India remains under-recognised as a chronic, relapsing disease that demands evidence-based, multidisciplinary care.
We need a multidisciplinary approach to tackle this," said Diabetologist Gaurav Bhaduri, who is a founding member of AMOCE.
Around 28% of people in India have generalised obesity, while 40% have abdominal obesity.
The initiative of the pan-India national campaign #EndObesity should bring together leading experts from metabolic and obesity physicians, endocrinology, internal medicine, cardiology, nephrology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, hepatology, orthopaedics, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, psychiatry, bariatric surgery, elderly medicine, clinical biochemistry and laboratory sciences, nutrition sciences, along with public health specialists and patient representatives.
"Such a consensus will recognise obesity as a disease state and not merely a risk factor, providing age, sex, and ethnicity-specific recommendations tailored to the unique Indian phenotype. Offering clinical pathways for prevention, early detection, and long-term management, spanning lifestyle, pharmacological, surgical, and rehabilitation options. Addressing the needs of children, adolescents, women of reproductive age, the elderly, and vulnerable populations," explained Bhaduri.
