Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Sunday launched a new book on obesity and weight loss at an event in New Delhi. Titled “The Weight Loss Revolution – Weight Loss Drugs and How to Use Them”, the book has been authored by leading endocrinologist Dr. Ambrish Mithal along with writer Shivam Vij. Veteran actor Sharmila Tagore and media baron Shobhana Bhartia also attended the launch.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Singh, a practicing Diabetologist and former Professor of Medicine, said the book comes at a crucial time when India is witnessing a sharp rise in obesity and related health complications. He cautioned that while awareness about health is increasing, the unchecked spread of fad diets and unscientific regimens is causing more harm than good. “India, once called the diabetes capital of the world, is now emerging as the obesity capital as well, ranking third globally in childhood obesity,” he noted.
Dr. Singh described obesity as a major trigger for several metabolic disorders, including diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, dyslipidaemia, and fatty liver disease. Stressing the need for evidence-based dietary plans, he said food prescriptions should always be guided by validated principles of quality, quantity, and distribution. He added that abdominal fat, or central obesity, poses a particularly serious risk for Indians. “Sometimes a simple inch tape around the waist may be more meaningful than a fanciful BMI chart,” he remarked.
Highlighting the importance of lifestyle changes, he referred to Indian studies showing that yoga can reduce the incidence of type-2 diabetes by up to 40 per cent. He called for integrating modern medicine, lifestyle modifications, and traditional practices, while underlining the need for India-specific, data-driven strategies to combat lifestyle diseases.
On the growing popularity of weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, Dr. Singh advised caution. He noted that while early global results may appear promising, true long-term outcomes can take decades to emerge. Drawing a parallel with the refined oils episode in India, he warned against rushing to conclusions.
With over 70 per cent of India’s population under the age of 40, Dr. Singh stressed that prevention must remain the foundation of all future health programmes. Praising Dr. Mithal’s book, he said it would serve as a timely guide not only for medical professionals but also for the general public in distinguishing facts from misinformation in an age of quick fixes and viral trends.
