As obesity rates rise across India, doctors are increasingly reframing it not as a lifestyle failure but as a chronic metabolic disease requiring structured medical care; in this evolving landscape, newer
GLP-1–based therapies are being recognised for their broader impact on heart, liver, and kidney health – prompting experts to call for early diagnosis and a more science-led, stigma-free approach to long-term treatment.
Rethinking Obesity In Modern India
“Obesity in India is still often perceived as a lifestyle choice or lack of willpower. In reality, obesity is a complex, chronic disease with systemic effects,” says Dr Arun Pandey, MBBS, MD, DM, Health City Vistaar Hospital, Lucknow.
“There has been a lot of talk regarding a newer class of drugs known as GLP-1 agonists,” notes Dr Pooja Trehan, Consultant Pathologist and Zonal Chief of Labs – Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, Metropolis Healthcare Ltd.
“Obesity is increasingly being recognised as a serious, chronic metabolic disease with implications far beyond weight,” adds Dr Samrat D. Shah, Senior Consultant, Department of Internal Medicine, Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai.
Beyond The Scale: A Multi-Organ Impact
Experts stress that obesity’s impact extends well beyond visible weight gain. As Dr Pandey explains, it significantly affects the heart, liver, and kidneys – making early intervention critical.
GLP-1 therapies, originally developed for diabetes, are now showing expanded benefits. “These agents have shown meaningful improvements in cardiovascular outcomes, potential benefits in metabolic liver disease, and a role in slowing progression of kidney dysfunction,” he notes.
Dr Trehan further highlights that in individuals with obesity, these therapies can reduce body weight by up to 15 per cent and lower the risk of major cardiovascular events by 20 per cent. Importantly, they also influence liver health by reducing fat synthesis and improving enzyme levels over time.
Targeting The Most Harmful Fat
One of the key advantages of GLP-1 therapies lies in how they act on fat distribution. Dr Shah explains that visceral fat – the type that surrounds vital organs – is the most metabolically harmful. “This targeted reduction of harmful fat depots underpins the broader cardiometabolic protection offered by GLP-1 therapy,” he says, linking it directly to reduced risks of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiovascular conditions.
This shift – from focusing on weight alone to addressing internal fat and metabolic health -marks a significant evolution in obesity care.
Caution, Monitoring, And The Need For Awareness
Despite the promise, experts urge caution. As Dr Trehan points out, the widespread adoption of GLP-1 therapies raises important questions about long-term safety, as their use in obesity management is relatively recent. She also notes the importance of monitoring, particularly liver enzymes, as changes could signal underlying complications such as gallbladder disease. Additionally, mild increases in resting heart rate have been observed in some cases.
The broader concern, however, remains perception. As DDrPandey emphasises, stigma continues to delay timely treatment, while many patients remain unaware of underlying conditions like fatty liver disease until they progress.
The conversation around obesity in India is clearly changing. Moving beyond outdated notions of willpower, experts are advocating for a more nuanced understanding that recognises obesity as a complex disease requiring early, sustained, and medically guided intervention.
GLP-1 therapies represent a promising step in that direction, but their role must be seen within a larger framework of lifestyle, monitoring, and long-term care.
