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Obesity is rising rapidly across India, yet people living with the condition are still commonly told to “eat less, exercise more” or blamed for lacking willpower. Indian experts are calling for a fundamental change in this approach: obesity must be recognised and treated as a chronic disease, with treatment based on an individual’s health needs and disease severity.
The Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society of India (OSSI) and the Endocrine Society of India (ESI) have jointly developed the Expert Consensus on Obesity Management Protocols – A Joint Position Statement by OSSI and ESI. Published in Obesity Surgery on 3rd August, 2026, the consensus brings together 78 experts and 55 recommendations spanning the entire spectrum of obesity care from prevention and diagnosis to lifestyle interventions, medications, metabolic and bariatric surgery, monitoring, long-term follow-up and palliative care.
“Obesity is a chronic disease that requires timely recognition, scientific treatment and long-term care. This joint consensus provides a unified, India-specific framework that can help move the conversation away from blame and towards evidence-based medical care,” said Dr K S Kular, president, Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society of India (OSSI).
“People living with obesity are often made to feel that their weight is simply the result of poor eating habits or lack of willpower. This creates guilt, shame and hesitation in seeking medical help,” said Dr Aparna Govil Bhasker, bariatric and metabolic surgeon, MetaHeal. “Obesity deserves the same scientific, compassionate and long-term approach as any other chronic disease. The focus should be on improving health, not blaming the individual.”
Dr Nitin Kapoor, endocrinologist, CMC Vellore, added, “BMI is only one part of the picture. Diabetes, fatty liver disease, sleep apnoea, mobility, cardiovascular risk and overall disease burden should guide how early and how intensively obesity is treated.”
“The consensus moves away from a rigid treatment ladder. Treatment should be personalised and can evolve as the patient’s health needs change,” said D. KVS Hari Kumar, honorary secretary, Endocrine Society of India.
The consensus also addresses the growing use of newer obesity medications. Dr Shehla Shaikh, endocrinologist, Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai, said, “Newer medications have significantly expanded our treatment options, but they are medical therapies and should be used under appropriate supervision, based on the patient’s health, associated conditions and treatment goals.”
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