Obesity is emerging as one of the biggest lifestyle and health challenges in India. What may initially appear to be simple weight gain can gradually develop into obesity and increase the risk of several serious health problems. Doctors and health experts now describe obesity not just as a lifestyle issue but also as a disease that can have long-term consequences.

Speaking at Sehat Samvad 2026, Dr. Prasun Chatterjee, former Professor of Geriatric Medicine at AIIMS and Senior Consultant at Apollo Hospitals, explained that obesity is a combination of lifestyle-related and pathological factors.

According to experts, awareness about weight and fitness has increased significantly in recent years. People today are more conscious of their BMI, appearance and overall health. However, doctors point out that many individuals still begin taking the issue seriously only after gaining considerable weight.

Obesity Is More Than Just Being Overweight

Dr. Prasun Chatterjee said obesity can involve a combination of metabolic, lifestyle and pathological factors. In some people, hormonal changes may also contribute to weight gain.

For women, weight gain can become more noticeable around perimenopause and menopause. Men can also experience significant changes in body weight and fat distribution as they grow older.

Doctors warn that obesity can affect both lifespan and healthspan. In other words, excessive weight may not only shorten life expectancy but can also reduce the number of years a person remains healthy and active. Experts have observed differences of around 5 to 10 years in some cases.

The doctor stressed that obesity cannot always be attributed to one particular habit. Age, gender, hormonal changes, lifestyle, diet and several other factors can influence a person's risk.

Why Are More Indians Becoming Obese?

Dr. Vivek Bindal, who also participated in the health dialogue, described obesity as a multifactorial disease. Genetics, environment, diet, physical activity, screen time and lifestyle all have a role to play.

Over the past few decades, people's daily routines have changed dramatically. Physical activity has declined while screen time and sedentary behaviour have increased. At the same time, easily available high-calorie foods have made it easier to consume more calories than the body needs.

Experts also point towards environmental and dietary changes that may influence how the body processes food and stores energy. Increased calorie consumption, reduced movement and changing food habits can collectively contribute to weight gain and metabolic problems.

Obesity is also associated with conditions such as fatty liver disease and the accumulation of excess fat around internal organs.

Why Indians Can Develop Health Problems Even at Lower BMI

Dr. Sukhwinder highlighted another important concern: visceral fat.

Indians tend to have a greater tendency to accumulate visceral fat, which is the fat stored around internal organs. Because of this, a person may not appear extremely overweight according to their BMI but can still have a higher risk of metabolic diseases.

Excess visceral fat is associated with problems such as diabetes and abnormal cholesterol levels. This is why doctors say that looking only at body weight or BMI may not provide a complete picture of a person's health.

Lifestyle Changes Can Make a Difference

Experts emphasise that preventing obesity requires more than simply stepping on a weighing scale. Regular physical activity, a balanced diet, adequate sleep and reduced sedentary time are important parts of maintaining a healthy weight.

The key message from doctors is that obesity should not be ignored until it becomes severe. Paying attention to gradual weight gain and making sustainable lifestyle changes early can help reduce the risk of long-term health complications.

For many people, the goal should not simply be to become thinner but to maintain a healthier body composition and reduce excess visceral fat. Early awareness and timely intervention can play an important role in protecting both lifespan and overall quality of life.