Obesity And Health

As muscle mass declines and abdominal fat rises with age, BMI can be misleading. A new study finds waist-to-height ratio better reflects real obesity risk in older adults

India still has a critical advantage: ultra-processed foods account for a very small share of current diets

Improving access to new age medicines for obesity and diabetes over the next few years would be a key enabler for the growth of the domestic pharmaceutical industry, according to Sun Pharma Managing Director Kirti Ganorkar. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are drugs that treat type 2 diabetes, high blood sugar, and obesity by regulating insulin production. India, known for its generic drug industry, is rapidly transforming into a major hub for the global weight management industry, amid rapid increase in obesity-led disease burden. "Improving access to GLP-1 treatments in the coming years will be a key driver for the Indian pharmaceutical industry, helping address the growing burden of lifestyle diseases such as obesity and diabetes," Ganorkar told PTI. Combined with AI-enabled digital tools for early disease detection and monitoring, and personalised medicine choices, the industry will continue to drive innovation that supports accessibility, affordability, and ..

Why does belly fat creep up after 30 even if nothing has changed? A California-based gastroenterologist trained at AIIMS explains the science behind it and what can help reverse it

From fibremaxxing and longevity clinics to GLP-1 drugs, AI hospitals and workplace mental health, 2025 reshaped how India talks about prevention, ageing and wellbeing

The guideline reframes obesity as a chronic disease needing lifelong care, recommending GLP-1 therapies with behavioural support rather than relying on medication alone

A new clinical trial shows that kalonji, long used in Indian kitchens, may help lower cholesterol and slow fat formation, offering a natural metabolic boost alongside regular diet and lifestyle habits

Researchers warn that the findings reflect a growing global health crisis, as outdated BMI standards fail to capture hidden fat-linked risks contributing to chronic disease.

Children with "unhealthy obesity" were three times more likely born from high-risk pregnancies, linking early-life factors to later metabolic health risks

Ultra-processed foods, aggressive marketing and weak regulations are driving obesity among children. Unicef urges governments to act now to protect children's health and future potential

A global study reveals that millions go undiagnosed with diabetes. Researchers call for better education, early screening, and affordable treatment access

India's Rs 628-crore anti-obesity market sees heightened competition as Wegovy and Mounjaro post strong sales amid rising obesity and growing doctor awareness

Eli Lilly's Mounjaro has seen explosive growth since its March launch in India, with sales soaring to Rs 50 crore in three months

Wegovy is India's first weekly injectable approved for both long-term weight loss and reducing heart risks in obese and overweight adults

Belly fat growth patterns in childhood are tied to insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and early heart disease risk by age 10, finds a decade-long Danish study presented at ECO 2025

We Indians have had a different perspective around obesity

The number of Indian obese adults increased from 5.76 million in 1991 to 46.78 million in 2021; it is poised to reach 173.73 million by 2050

According to Unicommerce, order volumes for healthy food staples and snacks surged by 60 per cent year-on-year

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) began a review of safety data for the class of drugs, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, more than a year ago

Obesity can no longer be just defined by body mass index (BMI) and rather should be about how body fat is distributed throughout one's body, researchers said while launching a new framework for diagnosing and managing obesity. Published in the journal Nature Medicine, the framework looks specifically at fat accumulated in the abdomen, measured as 'waist-to-height ratio' -- an increased value of which is related to a higher risk of developing cardiometabolic complications, according to the researchers. An "important novelty" of the framework is including a waist-to-height ratio higher than 0.5, along with a BMI of 25-30, for diagnosing obesity, the authors, representing the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO), said. "The choice of introducing waist-to-height ratio, instead of waist circumference, in the diagnostic process is due to its superiority as a cardiometabolic disease risk marker," they wrote. Accumulation of abdominal fat is a more reliable predictor of hea