RISING OBESITY AMONG INDIAN WOMEN CALLS FOR SCIENCE-BASED, COMMUNITY AND LIFECYCLE-ORIENTED CARE, STUDY FINDS

Nearly half of Indian women aged 35-49 are overweight or obese.

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Experts say recognising obesity as a disease and addressing stigma, bias and all health factors is key to effective treatment

A study published in the Indian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Research, supported by the Indian Society of Assisted Reproduction, highlighted an urgent public health concern posed by the rising prevalence of obesity among Indian women in their reproductive year. According to the findings, nearly 50% of Indian women aged 35-49 are living with obesity, with even younger women aged 18-30 increasingly at risk. The health implications of this trend extend from menarche to menopause --spanning complications in fertility, pregnancy, and long-term metabolic health.

Early intervention and integrating obesity care across health system

Experts in reproductive health and endocrinology say the findings should serve as a wake-up call to rethink India's public health strategies and embed obesity care into all layers of the healthcare system.

Addressing obesity in the reproductive years is not just about improving fertility -- it's about preventing lifelong complications," said Nanditha Palshetkar, medical director at Bloom IVF Lilavati Hospital and former president of The Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI). Dr. Palshetkar emphasised the importance of early recognition and education. "If we manage obesity early, ideally before conception, we can significantly improve outcomes for both mother and child," she said.

"We must start recognising obesity as a disease,"Dr. Palshetkar said, "It's often the underlying cause of comorbidities like high cholesterol and fatty liver. Unfortunately, there's a widespread perception that simply 'eating well' at home ensures good health which can be misleading. There's a serious lack of awareness.