Losing weight remains unusually difficult because both our bodies and our environments work against sustained calorie loss. Biological adaptation, ultra-processed foods, and increasingly sedentary urban
lifestyles make short-term diets ineffective in the long run. The process of losing weight is inherently slow and requires consistent discipline, which is often hard to maintain amid a hectic work-life balance.
In India, this challenge is compounded by rapid urbanisation, changing dietary patterns, and a rising burden of childhood obesity, all of which contribute to the country’s growing obesity crisis.
We spoke to Dr. Yogesh Nain, MBBS, General Physician, Venkateshwara Hospital to understand this better:
In 2026, the core reason weight loss remains difficult is a combination of physiology and environment. When people cut calories, the body responds with metabolic adaptation, increased hunger signals, and hormonal changes that favour weight regain. As a result, many diets lead to temporary weight loss rather than lasting change.
At the same time, the modern obesogenic environment, characterised by easy access to cheap, calorie-dense, ultra-processed foods, larger portion sizes, 24/7 food delivery apps, and pervasive advertising, keeps energy intake high, even when people attempt to eat less.
Technology and evolving work patterns further amplify the issue. Sedentary jobs, increased screen time, and reduced incidental movement mean that daily energy expenditure has declined for large segments of the population. As a result, the same level of food intake now leads to weight gain for many individuals.
Psychological and social factors also play a significant role. Stress, sleep deprivation, and food insecurity, which can drive the overconsumption of inexpensive, calorie-dense foods, contribute to metabolic disturbances.
