Science of weight-loss revolution

The world is in the midst of a weight-loss revolution.

- MEDICINE SHYLA JOVITHA ABRAHAM BEYOND BORDERS DR JAME ABRAHAM

In December 2023, the red carpet revealed a visibly transformed Oprah Winfrey, who later shared publicly that she was using a GLP-1-based medication for weight management. In the US alone, nearly two crore people are estimated to be using weight-loss medications today. This revolution is no longer confined to the west. With the recent launch of Ozempic (semaglutide) in India, the epicentre of the global diabetes and metabolic disease burden, a new chapter has begun.

India is home to one of the largest populations poised to benefit from GLP-1 therapies. More than 10 crore adults live with diabetes—second only to China—with an additional 14 crore affected by pre-diabetes. Equally concerning is the rapid rise in obesity. While undernutrition persists in parts of the country, overweight and obesity now affect over 30 per cent of adults in urban India, with growing prevalence in semi-urban and rural areas.