New Delhi: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, today unveiled the book “The Weight Loss Revolution – Weight Loss Drugs and How to Use Them”, authored by eminent endocrinologist Dr. Ambrish Mithal along with Mr. Shivam Vij. The launch event, graced by legendary cinema personality Sharmila Tagore and media baron Shobhana Bhartia, marked a significant step in raising awareness around India’s growing obesity crisis and related metabolic disorders.
India’s Health Challenge: From Diabetes to Obesity
Speaking at the event, Dr. Jitendra Singh, an eminent diabetologist and author himself, highlighted the alarming rise of obesity in India. Once known as the diabetes capital of the world, India is now also emerging as the obesity capital, currently ranked third worldwide in childhood obesity. He warned that obesity-related metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, coronary heart disease, and fatty liver disease represent a pressing national health challenge.
The Minister cautioned against the unchecked spread of misinformation, fad diet plans, and unverified fitness regimens promoted on social media. “While awareness and the right information must be propagated, we must guard against disinformation,” he stated.
Indian Solutions for Indian Patients
Underscoring the need for region-specific medical insights, Dr. Singh stressed that “Indian data for Indian patients” must inform healthcare approaches. He highlighted that central obesity, or fat accumulation around the abdomen, carries higher health risks for Indians than for Western populations, suggesting that “sometimes a simple inch tape around the waist may be more meaningful than a fanciful BMI chart.”
He further urged integrating modern medicine, lifestyle modifications, and traditional practices like yoga into treatment frameworks. Citing Indian research, he noted that yoga practice can reduce the incidence of type-2 diabetes by up to 40%.
Caution on Weight Loss Drugs
Addressing the rise of new weight loss medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro, Dr. Jitendra Singh urged caution. While global evidence appears promising, he emphasized that clinical outcomes require decades of evaluation before being universally endorsed. Drawing a comparison to India’s experience with refined cooking oils, he said premature conclusions in healthcare could prove misleading.
Prevention Above All
With over 70% of India’s population under the age of 40, Dr. Singh emphasized that the nation cannot afford to let the demographic dividend be undermined by lifestyle diseases. He asserted that prevention-driven strategies and mass awareness campaigns must remain the cornerstone of national health programs.
Quoting Mark Twain, he said: “Economics is too serious a subject to be left to an economist; in the same way, diabetes and obesity are too serious to be left only to a Diabetologist.” He advocated for a mass movement against obesity and metabolic disorders, with collective participation from policymakers, healthcare providers, and citizens alike.
Book as a Guiding Resource
The Minister praised Dr. Ambrish Mithal for producing a timely and authoritative book that blends scientific rigor with practical guidance. He noted that the book will serve as a critical resource for medical professionals, while also empowering the public to sift fact from fiction in an era where health discourse is often clouded by misleading social media narratives.
Conclusion
The launch of The Weight Loss Revolution underlines the urgency of tackling India’s rising burden of obesity and metabolic disorders. Dr. Jitendra Singh’s call for scientifically authenticated information, greater reliance on Indian data, and prevention-first healthcare strategies has set the tone for a national movement against lifestyle diseases. With collective awareness and evidence-based interventions, India aims to protect its youth and secure a healthier future.
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Source: PIB
