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Obesity is a chronic disease, not just weight: 8 key takeaways from expert consensus

By healthylife7August 23, 2026No Comments3 Mins Read

Obesity is a chronic disease, not just weight: 8 key takeaways from expert consensus

1. Obesity is a chronic disease | Health experts have described obesity as a chronic disease that needs timely diagnosis, scientific treatment and long-term care, the PTI reported. The new expert document aims to shift the focus from blame to evidence-based medical care. The consensus has been jointly prepared by the Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society of India (OSSI) and the Endocrine Society of India (ESI). (Image: Canva)

2. Weight is not just about willpower | Experts say obesity can be influenced by a combination of genetic, metabolic, endocrine, environmental, psychological, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors. This means that people living with obesity should not be viewed as simply lacking discipline or making poor food choices. Such thinking can lead to guilt, shame and delays in seeking medical help. (Image: Canva)

3. BMI alone should not decide treatment | The consensus says body mass index (BMI) or body weight alone should not determine how obesity is treated. This is particularly important for Indians, who tend to have higher body fat and can develop conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease at lower BMI levels and younger ages than Western populations. (Image: Canva)

4. Treatment should focus on overall health | The experts recommend looking beyond a person’s weight and assessing their overall health and metabolic risks. According to ESI president Dr Kaushik Pandit, India needs an approach that takes into account the specific health risks linked to obesity among Indians. (Image: Canva)

5. Lifestyle changes remain important | Healthy eating, physical activity and other lifestyle measures continue to be an important part of obesity management. However, the consensus says there is no single approach that works for everyone. Treatment needs to be based on individual health needs and the severity of the disease. (Image: Canva)

6. Treatment can include medicines and surgery | Depending on the person and the severity of obesity, treatment may include psychological support, obesity management medicines, endoscopic procedures, and metabolic and bariatric surgery. The experts stress that these options should not be treated as competing approaches. Different treatments can be used at different stages of the disease. (Image: Canva)

7. Treatment may need to change over time | The consensus moves away from a fixed treatment sequence for everyone. Dr KVS Hari Kumar, honorary secretary of ESI, said treatment should be personalised and can change as a patient’s health needs change. Experts also describe obesity as a progressive and relapsing disease. Delaying appropriate treatment can allow the disease and related complications to worsen. (Image: Canva)

8. Experts call for stigma-free care and wider action | The consensus calls for timely and individualised treatment, along with stigma-free care and better access to obesity treatment, the PTI reported. It also recommends including obesity prevention and management in national health programmes. At the population level, experts have called for clearer food labels, healthier school environments and greater public awareness. (Image: Canva)

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