India's Obesity Management: A Comprehensive Review of Therapeutic Options

The global prevalence of obesity continues to rise, posing a significant public health challenge, particularly in countries like India where lifestyle changes are rapidly contributing to its increase. Obesity is a complex chronic disease associated with numerous comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. Effective and sustainable management strategies are crucial to mitigate these health risks. This review addresses the need for an updated, integrated overview of therapeutic options for obesity management specifically tailored to the Indian context.

The review highlighted that lifestyle modifications, including structured diet and exercise programs, typically achieve 5-10% total body weight loss, which is crucial for initial management. Pharmacological agents, particularly newer GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide and tirzepatide, were noted to induce significant weight reductions, often ranging from 15% to 20% in clinical trials discussed. Older drugs like orlistat showed more modest effects, around 3-5% weight loss, primarily by reducing fat absorption. > The most impactful finding was the consensus that bariatric surgery remains the most effective intervention for severe obesity, consistently achieving 25-35% total body weight loss and significant remission of comorbidities like type 2 diabetes in a substantial proportion of patients. The congress emphasized a multimodal approach, combining these strategies for optimal patient outcomes, acknowledging the diverse needs of patients with obesity in India.