Weight-loss drugs offer hope, but no magic pill for obesity, say experts

obesity

The understanding of obesity in India is shifting, with growing recognition that it's a complex disease requiring medical management, not just a lifestyle issue, experts said during a discussion at the News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2025 in Delhi on Wednesday.

While new weight-loss medications offer hope, they are just one part of a necessary, holistic approach that includes diet, exercise, and addressing significant societal stigma, they said.

New prescription drugs like Eli Lilly's Mounjaro targeting hormones like GLP-1 and GIP work on the brain level to regulate appetite and metabolism, helping to reset the body's weight "set point".

However, they are not a quick fix.

"It's important to note that it's not a magic pill," said Winselow Tucker, President and General Manager at Eli Lilly India. "It's also not for lifestyle. It's not a vanity tool. These are medications that are approved for use with a prescription...for a chronic disease, which is obesity."

"We have started recognising that obesity is a health condition or disease, which requires treatment, care, and management," said Dr Chandrakant Lahariya, a public policy specialist. This is crucial given worrying statistics: one in four Indian adults is overweight or obese, and one in three suffers from abdominal obesity. Definitions are also evolving beyond simple BMI (body mass index), particularly for Indians, who may have higher body fat percentages at lower weights.

The solution

Dr Lahariya stressed on a three-pronged approach involving increased physical activity, dietary modification, and potentially medication. He cautioned against self-prescribing: "My suggestion would be, please anyone thinking of these medications consult your physician or provider... This is not something ...that should be done (without prescription)."

A major hurdle remains the societal view of obesity. "We have to change the narrative around weight loss if we really want to address it," Tucker from Eli Lilly noted. "We also have to recognise that there is a bit of a stigma on weight loss... obesity today is viewed as a personal responsibility or a lack of personal responsibility ...which is totally wrong". He added, "It's not just about blame. It's really about biology".

Experts highlighted the economic burden, citing 2019 estimates that obesity costs India around 1 percent of GDP. Dr Lahariya advocated for systemic changes, including policies supporting healthy environments and partnerships, to tackle the issue effectively. The ultimate goal, Tucker suggested, is shifting focus "from just obesity to better health".