With 1 in 4 Adults Now Overweight, Are Weight-Loss Drugs India’s Revolution Against Obesity??
Last Updated:November 05, 2025, 18:40 IST
Over 24% of Indian adults across all states are now considered overweight or obese with more than 12.5 million children under 5 battling obesity
GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Mounjaro and semaglutide are booming, but experts continue to stress on lifestyle changes for lasting results. (Image: Getty)
The weight of a nation is now in clear view. For the first time, India has reached a stark milestone, with every fourth adult is either overweight or obese, according to UNICEF’s latest report. That figure includes nearly 40 million children and adolescents who are now classified as overweight. The rapid shift in lifestyle patterns, dietary norms, and metabolic risk factors has pushed obesity into the league of national health emergencies. In response, a new class of drugs is rewriting the narrative on what it means to seek help for weight management and challenging long-held assumptions that tell Indians to “just eat less and move more”.
What this really means is that the country’s relationship with weight is no longer confined to vanity but now spans economics, public health, and biotechnology. As pharmaceutical giants pitch “medical breakthroughs” and social media turns once-inaccessible prescription drugs into aspirational status symbols, India finds itself at the crossroads of a complex and urgent health debate.
Could these therapies form part of a broader public health solution, or are they part of the issue in a larger lifestyle crisis?
Is Obesity Now a Medical Crisis and Not Just a Lifestyle Issue?
Unicef’s report paints a clear picture, obesity in India is no longer the preserve of cities or affluent pockets. The report notes that 24% of Indian adults across all states are now considered overweight or obese, and the rise cuts across income and demographic lines.
About 12.5 million children under 5 are either overweight or obese, a trend that was once almost unheard of in rural or under-resourced settings. India’s dual burden, where undernutrition and overnutrition coexist has accelerated, placing an extraordinary load on an already creaking public health system.
Medical experts now consistently refer to obesity as a chronic metabolic condition, one that increases the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and cancers. The narrative shift from lifestyle flaw to medical diagnosis, has cracked open new avenues for clinical treatment, including pharmaceutical interventions.
Why Are Weight-Loss Drugs Booming in India Right Now?
Two drugs dominate India’s fast-growing weight-loss market: semaglutide and tirzepatide. Marketed under brand names like Rybelsus, Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro, these drugs belong to a class called GLP-1 agonists. They mimic a natural hormone that regulates appetite, slowing digestion and suppressing hunger signals sent to the brain.
Tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro by Eli Lilly, has turned heads for its dual benefits suppressing appetite while improving metabolic balance. In just six months since its launch, Mounjaro became the second-largest brand in the Indian pharma market, with Rs 80 crore sales in September alone. The drug’s growth outpaced most chronic therapies, catapulting it ahead of years-old brands in treatment for diseases like diabetes and hypertension.
Experts point to three factors behind this boom aggressive doctor adoption, viral social media culture, and streamlined usability. The launch of KwikPen injectors in India, pre-filled and self-administrable, has made weekly use accessible even to users with no prior experience of injectable drugs.
Do Weight Loss Drugs Really Work?
Recent months have seen a surge in the popularity of GLP-1 drugs in India. Semaglutide, marketed as Rybelsus (oral) and Wegovy (injectable), and tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro, belong to this class. Originally developed for diabetes, these drugs mimic a natural hormone that regulates hunger, slowing digestion and acting on brain centres to create a feeling of fullness.
Clinical trials suggest that semaglutide (marketed as Wegovy) can help patients lose up to 15% of their body weight, while tirzepatide can result in losses of 20 per cent or more. In obese patients with comorbidities like diabetes or hypertension, such reductions can be life-changing. As Dr. Varsha Kachroo, Associate Consultant – Endocrinology at Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, Faridabad notes, “these medicines can help patients achieve meaningful weight loss and improve diabetes, blood pressure, heart and kidney health”.
But she is quick to issue a caution, “If used without the anchor of lifestyle modifications, the weight usually returns once treatment stops”. According to her, the real win is cultural as much as clinical. Obesity is now seen as a disease with valid pathways of treatment rather than a character flaw.
Who Is Using Weight Loss Drugs and Why?
Most early adopters are from urban centres, with women in their 30s and 40s driving the demand. While many are seeking help after battling weight cycles through exercise and dieting, others are swayed by social media pressures or celebrity trends. Men generally enter the scene later, usually as part of diabetes or heart disease management.
“Most people seeking these medications are women in their 30s to 50s, often after multiple unsuccessful attempts with lifestyle interventions,” Dr Varsha says. Men usually present when obesity is accompanied by metabolic issues such as diabetes. A smaller cohort of younger adults, influenced by social media, seek rapid results.
In a country where body image permeates social, marital, and professional identity, the allure of a medically validated weight-loss shortcut is powerful. For some, it offers relief from metabolic dysfunction. For others, it is the promise of fitting into societal norms.
Patients often cite a combination of health concerns and body-image pressures as drivers for using GLP-1 drugs. Dr. Kachroo emphasises that while these medications are a significant step forward in obesity management, they must be paired with lifestyle interventions. “If used without diet and exercise, weight typically returns once treatment stops,” she warns.
What Are the Risks of “Quick Fix” Medicalisation?
Not all prescriptions are legitimate. Reports are pouring in of beauticians offering injection packages to brides, of online pharmacies shipping GLP-1 drugs after brief digital consultations, and of gym trainers distributing sample doses. Federal authorities have issued cautionary statements warning against unsupervised usage, alongside legitimate fears of counterfeit products entering the market.
There is also the question of sustainability. These drugs cost upwards of Rs 14,000 per month, even after the GST reduction earlier this year. While the prices may soften over time, the divide between patients who can afford such treatments and those who cannot may continue to widen.
Dr. Kachroo underscores the clinical approach, “We now recognise obesity as a medical condition, not a matter of willpower. These medicines, when used under supervision, can improve diabetes, blood pressure, heart, kidney, and metabolic health. But patients and doctors must use them wisely.”
What Are the Risks and Ethical Concerns?
While GLP-1 drugs show promise, their rapid adoption has raised concerns about safety, accessibility, and cost. The high price point ranging from Rs 14,000 to Rs 27,500 per month depending on dosage limits access for lower-income patients, while spurious products risk entering the market. Experts caution against unsupervised use, which can lead to side effects or misuse as a cosmetic rather than medical intervention.
Could Weight-Loss Drugs Be Part of India’s Larger Solution?
The rise in drugs like Mounjaro and Wegovy opens a new chapter in India’s fight against obesity. They offer a chance at meaningful weight loss for individuals who have tried and failed with conventional approaches. They shift the burden away from personal blame to clinical care.
However, as Dr Kachroo reminds us, “This is an important step forward, but it is our responsibility to use these medicines wisely and safely, not as shortcuts”.
In the end, the key question is whether India will use these new tools to empower citizens or simply expand the gap between those who can afford care and those whose health continues to be shaped by systemic neglect.
Can Lifestyle Choices Still Make a Difference?
Even as GLP-1 drugs gain traction, experts emphasise that lifestyle interventions remain the cornerstone of sustainable weight management. Diet, physical activity, sleep, and stress management all influence how the body responds to both weight and medication.
Dr. Varsha Kachroo points out that prescription drugs work best when paired with structured lifestyle changes. “Medication alone can help patients lose weight initially,” she says, “but without healthy eating habits, consistent physical activity, and follow-up, most patients regain the weight once treatment stops.”
A balanced diet, rich in fibre, lean proteins, and low in refined sugars and saturated fats, not only reduces calorie intake but also improves metabolic health. Regular physical activity ranging from brisk walking and cycling to strength training, supports fat loss and cardiovascular health, while helping maintain muscle mass during weight reduction.
Sleep and stress, often overlooked, play a critical role. Shortened sleep duration and chronic stress can disrupt hormone balance, increasing appetite and promoting fat accumulation. Addressing these factors can amplify the effects of medication and improve overall well-being.
Behavioural strategies also help patients sustain change. Keeping a food diary, setting realistic goals, and seeking support through dieticians, wellness programmes, or peer groups can make lifestyle interventions more effective.
First Published:
November 05, 2025, 18:40 IST
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Could these therapies form part of a broader public health solution, or are they part of the issue in a larger lifestyle crisis?
Is Obesity Now a Medical Crisis and Not Just a Lifestyle Issue?
Unicef’s report paints a clear picture, obesity in India is no longer the preserve of cities or affluent pockets. The report notes that 24% of Indian adults across all states are now considered overweight or obese, and the rise cuts across income and demographic lines.
About 12.5 million children under 5 are either overweight or obese, a trend that was once almost unheard of in rural or under-resourced settings. India’s dual burden, where undernutrition and overnutrition coexist has accelerated, placing an extraordinary load on an already creaking public health system.
Medical experts now consistently refer to obesity as a chronic metabolic condition, one that increases the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and cancers. The narrative shift from lifestyle flaw to medical diagnosis, has cracked open new avenues for clinical treatment, including pharmaceutical interventions.
Why Are Weight-Loss Drugs Booming in India Right Now?
Two drugs dominate India’s fast-growing weight-loss market: semaglutide and tirzepatide. Marketed under brand names like Rybelsus, Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro, these drugs belong to a class called GLP-1 agonists. They mimic a natural hormone that regulates appetite, slowing digestion and suppressing hunger signals sent to the brain.
Tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro by Eli Lilly, has turned heads for its dual benefits suppressing appetite while improving metabolic balance. In just six months since its launch, Mounjaro became the second-largest brand in the Indian pharma market, with Rs 80 crore sales in September alone. The drug’s growth outpaced most chronic therapies, catapulting it ahead of years-old brands in treatment for diseases like diabetes and hypertension.
Experts point to three factors behind this boom aggressive doctor adoption, viral social media culture, and streamlined usability. The launch of KwikPen injectors in India, pre-filled and self-administrable, has made weekly use accessible even to users with no prior experience of injectable drugs.
Do Weight Loss Drugs Really Work?
Recent months have seen a surge in the popularity of GLP-1 drugs in India. Semaglutide, marketed as Rybelsus (oral) and Wegovy (injectable), and tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro, belong to this class. Originally developed for diabetes, these drugs mimic a natural hormone that regulates hunger, slowing digestion and acting on brain centres to create a feeling of fullness.
Clinical trials suggest that semaglutide (marketed as Wegovy) can help patients lose up to 15% of their body weight, while tirzepatide can result in losses of 20 per cent or more. In obese patients with comorbidities like diabetes or hypertension, such reductions can be life-changing. As Dr. Varsha Kachroo, Associate Consultant – Endocrinology at Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, Faridabad notes, “these medicines can help patients achieve meaningful weight loss and improve diabetes, blood pressure, heart and kidney health”.
But she is quick to issue a caution, “If used without the anchor of lifestyle modifications, the weight usually returns once treatment stops”. According to her, the real win is cultural as much as clinical. Obesity is now seen as a disease with valid pathways of treatment rather than a character flaw.
Who Is Using Weight Loss Drugs and Why?
Most early adopters are from urban centres, with women in their 30s and 40s driving the demand. While many are seeking help after battling weight cycles through exercise and dieting, others are swayed by social media pressures or celebrity trends. Men generally enter the scene later, usually as part of diabetes or heart disease management.
“Most people seeking these medications are women in their 30s to 50s, often after multiple unsuccessful attempts with lifestyle interventions,” Dr Varsha says. Men usually present when obesity is accompanied by metabolic issues such as diabetes. A smaller cohort of younger adults, influenced by social media, seek rapid results.
In a country where body image permeates social, marital, and professional identity, the allure of a medically validated weight-loss shortcut is powerful. For some, it offers relief from metabolic dysfunction. For others, it is the promise of fitting into societal norms.
Patients often cite a combination of health concerns and body-image pressures as drivers for using GLP-1 drugs. Dr. Kachroo emphasises that while these medications are a significant step forward in obesity management, they must be paired with lifestyle interventions. “If used without diet and exercise, weight typically returns once treatment stops,” she warns.
What Are the Risks of “Quick Fix” Medicalisation?
Not all prescriptions are legitimate. Reports are pouring in of beauticians offering injection packages to brides, of online pharmacies shipping GLP-1 drugs after brief digital consultations, and of gym trainers distributing sample doses. Federal authorities have issued cautionary statements warning against unsupervised usage, alongside legitimate fears of counterfeit products entering the market.
There is also the question of sustainability. These drugs cost upwards of Rs 14,000 per month, even after the GST reduction earlier this year. While the prices may soften over time, the divide between patients who can afford such treatments and those who cannot may continue to widen.
Dr. Kachroo underscores the clinical approach, “We now recognise obesity as a medical condition, not a matter of willpower. These medicines, when used under supervision, can improve diabetes, blood pressure, heart, kidney, and metabolic health. But patients and doctors must use them wisely.”
What Are the Risks and Ethical Concerns?
While GLP-1 drugs show promise, their rapid adoption has raised concerns about safety, accessibility, and cost. The high price point ranging from Rs 14,000 to Rs 27,500 per month depending on dosage limits access for lower-income patients, while spurious products risk entering the market. Experts caution against unsupervised use, which can lead to side effects or misuse as a cosmetic rather than medical intervention.
Could Weight-Loss Drugs Be Part of India’s Larger Solution?
The rise in drugs like Mounjaro and Wegovy opens a new chapter in India’s fight against obesity. They offer a chance at meaningful weight loss for individuals who have tried and failed with conventional approaches. They shift the burden away from personal blame to clinical care.
However, as Dr Kachroo reminds us, “This is an important step forward, but it is our responsibility to use these medicines wisely and safely, not as shortcuts”.
In the end, the key question is whether India will use these new tools to empower citizens or simply expand the gap between those who can afford care and those whose health continues to be shaped by systemic neglect.
Can Lifestyle Choices Still Make a Difference?
Even as GLP-1 drugs gain traction, experts emphasise that lifestyle interventions remain the cornerstone of sustainable weight management. Diet, physical activity, sleep, and stress management all influence how the body responds to both weight and medication.
Dr. Varsha Kachroo points out that prescription drugs work best when paired with structured lifestyle changes. “Medication alone can help patients lose weight initially,” she says, “but without healthy eating habits, consistent physical activity, and follow-up, most patients regain the weight once treatment stops.”
A balanced diet, rich in fibre, lean proteins, and low in refined sugars and saturated fats, not only reduces calorie intake but also improves metabolic health. Regular physical activity ranging from brisk walking and cycling to strength training, supports fat loss and cardiovascular health, while helping maintain muscle mass during weight reduction.
Sleep and stress, often overlooked, play a critical role. Shortened sleep duration and chronic stress can disrupt hormone balance, increasing appetite and promoting fat accumulation. Addressing these factors can amplify the effects of medication and improve overall well-being.
Behavioural strategies also help patients sustain change. Keeping a food diary, setting realistic goals, and seeking support through dieticians, wellness programmes, or peer groups can make lifestyle interventions more effective.
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