One in four Indians is overweight, but obesity is still considered a ‘lifestyle’: Experts warn of growing crisis

New Delhi: India faces a growing burden of obesity with one in four Indians being overweight, but the condition is still misunderstood as a lifestyle issue rather than a disease, experts said at a recent panel discussion led by ICMR and AIIMS on the occasion of World Obesity Day.Experts say that despite growing awareness, most people don’t seek treatment, and even those who try to lose weight have trouble maintaining it. “We lack effective long-term interventions and behavior change remains difficult,” said Dr Rajiv Bahl, secretary, Department of Health Research and director general, ICMR, pointing to wider social and environmental barriers.He noted that unhealthy foods tend to be cheaper and more accessible, while healthier foods remain harder to adopt.The panel brought together Dr. Bahl; Dr. Anoop Misra, Director, National Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation; Dr. Naval Vikram, Professor, Department of Medicine, AIIMS; and Dr. Vandana Jain, Professor, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, AIIMS.Dr Kamini Walia, scientist and head of ICMR’s Descriptive Research Unit, said obesity should be understood as a multifactorial disease driven by genetic, metabolic, environmental and social factors rather than being blamed on individuals.Clinicians say the problem has its roots in everyday life. Dr. Navarre Vikram said obesity is a chronic disease that requires long-term management and is influenced by diet, physical activity, psychological and environmental factors.The expert panel emphasized that obesity often begins early. Dr Vandana Jain said childhood habits, household food choices and activity patterns play a key role, highlighting the need for a healthier home environment.Dr. Anoop Misra noted that metabolic complications occur in Indians with low body weight, so early identification is crucial. He added that new anti-obesity drugs are not a population-wide solution and must be used selectively as lifestyle changes change.Experts also pointed to gaps in policy and implementation, saying improving access to healthy foods and creating space for physical activity remained key challenges.They also highlight emerging areas of research, including the gut microbiome, early life nutrition and maternal health, that may influence obesity risk in early life.A major problem remains stigma, which prevents people from seeking treatment. Experts say recognizing obesity as a disease can shift focus toward long-term management and prevention.