New review calls for urgent policy action on Obesity in India
A new Editor’s Choice article published in Clinical Obesity highlights the rapidly growing burden of obesity in India and calls for comprehensive policy reform to address its health, social, and economic impacts.
The review brings together leading experts from across India to examine the scale of the challenge and outline a set of recommendations aimed at transforming how obesity is understood and managed nationally.
A growing public health challenge
The paper underscores the sharp rise in obesity across India over recent decades, with millions now living with both generalised and abdominal obesity. Estimates suggest that hundreds of millions of people are affected, with prevalence continuing to increase among adults, children, and adolescents.
Obesity is also linked to a significant burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, contributing to substantial mortality and disability.
Beyond health impacts, the economic cost is considerable. The review highlights that obesity already represents a measurable share of national healthcare expenditure and is projected to increase significantly in the coming decades.
A need to reframe obesity
A central theme of the paper is the continued perception of obesity in India as a lifestyle issue rather than a chronic disease, despite international recognition of its disease status.
This perception contributes to stigma, delays in seeking care, and inconsistent treatment approaches. The authors emphasise that obesity is a complex, chronic condition influenced by a wide range of biological, social, and environmental factors, requiring structured and sustained management.
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Key recommendations for change
To address these challenges, the authors propose four overarching areas for policy action:
- Change the narrative to recognise obesity as a chronic disease
- Shift towards a health-focused approach to reduce disparities in prevention and care
- Invest in healthcare systems and capacity to improve management and prevention
- Expand support for people living with obesity, including earlier diagnosis and consistent care pathways
These recommendations are supported by a series of specific interventions spanning national policy, healthcare systems, community environments, and individual care.
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Strengthening systems and reducing inequalities
The review highlights the importance of integrating obesity into national NCD strategies, improving access to affordable healthy food and opportunities for physical activity, and strengthening training for healthcare professionals.
It also points to the need for consistent surveillance and monitoring, as well as efforts to address stigma and improve public awareness. In particular, the authors note that many people living with obesity do not seek care or receive a formal diagnosis, underscoring gaps in current systems.
A call for coordinated action
The paper concludes that meaningful progress will require coordinated action across government, healthcare systems, and wider society, alongside sustained investment and policy commitment. Recognising obesity as a disease is identified as a critical first step in enabling more effective prevention and treatment.
Read the full Editor’s Choice article
Read 'Burden of Obesity in India: Need for Policy Changes to Attain Highest Possible Level of Health and Well-Being', published in Clinical Obesity.
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