Bill Gates on one thing money can't solve: 'Obesity...'

Bill Gates on tackling obesity.

Bill Gates has expressed skepticism about the ability of wealth alone to solve the global obesity crisis, emphasising that the real hurdle lies in driving long-term behavioural change. During an appearance on Raj Shamani’s podcast, the billionaire philanthropist discussed the role of lifestyle modifications such as yoga and the potential of emerging weight-loss medications.

Can money solve obesity? Gates thinks not

When asked about challenges that financial resources cannot easily address, Gates pointed to obesity as a prime example. Reflecting on his conversations with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he noted that while yoga and similar practices have been promoted as solutions, widespread adoption has remained elusive.

On one thing money can't fix, Gates remarked, "You know, there’s a lot of talk about obesity." He added, “When I met the Prime Minister, he discussed various yoga-based approaches that people should consider. But behaviour change is difficult, and no country has really mastered it yet.”

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The role of weight-loss drugs in tackling obesity

While acknowledging the difficulty of changing people’s habits, Gates suggested that medical innovations, specifically a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, could play a crucial role in combating obesity. These drugs, including Mounjaro, Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound, work by mimicking hormones that regulate appetite and blood sugar levels.

“Maybe India can pioneer some approaches in this space,” Gates said. “But honestly, as a technologist, I see the most promising solution in GLP-1 drugs. They will eventually go off-patent and become more affordable. Ideally, we need a combination of behaviour change and medical tools—but behaviour change alone has been a tough battle.”

Also Read | Health risks of obesity: Why losing weight is key to preventing diabetes, cancer, heart disease

PM Modi’s stand on obesity

Prime Minister Modi has also voiced concerns about the growing obesity crisis in India. During a rally in Silvassa on March 7, he highlighted the alarming projections from The Lancet, which estimate that by 2050, around 440 million Indians could be obese. He urged citizens to take proactive steps, such as reducing their edible oil consumption by 10% and engaging in regular physical activity.

“Obesity is a major threat to public health,” Modi warned. “It is the root cause of numerous diseases. This forecast of 440 million obese Indians is deeply concerning.”

Also Read | 'To deal with the problem of obesity', PM Modi cautions people to reduce edible oil consumption by 10%; here's why you should consider doing it

Understanding obesity: A global health concern

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines obesity as excessive fat accumulation that poses health risks. The condition is typically assessed using Body Mass Index (BMI), where a BMI of 25 or higher is classified as overweight, and 30 or above is considered obese. However, in India, where obesity thresholds are lower, individuals with a BMI of 23.0 to 24.9 kg/m² are categorised as overweight, and those with a BMI of 25 kg/m² or higher are classified as obese. Severe obesity, or morbid obesity, is marked by a BMI of 35 or more.

As obesity rates continue to climb worldwide, Gates and Modi’s comments underscore the need for a multi-faceted approach that combines lifestyle interventions with scientific advancements to tackle this growing epidemic.