New Delhi: Union Minister Jitendra Singh launched the book “The Weight Loss Revolution – Weight Loss Drugs and How to Use Them”, authored by endocrinologist Ambrish Mithal along with Shivam Vij, at an event attended by Sharmila Tagore and Shobhana Bhartia.
Speaking at the launch, Singh, a professor of medicine and noted diabetologist himself, said the book comes at a crucial time when India is facing a surge in obesity and metabolic disorders. “While awareness and the right kind of information needs to be propagated, he cautioned against disinformation,” he said.
Highlighting that India, once labeled the diabetes capital of the world, is now also emerging as the obesity capital, Singh pointed out the growing risks associated with conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and fatty liver disease. He warned against the spread of unscientific diet charts and fad regimens, stressing that diet prescriptions must always be rooted in validated scientific principles.
He called for solutions tailored to Indian needs. “Sometimes a simple inch tape around the waist may be more meaningful than a fanciful BMI chart,” he remarked, while pointing out that central obesity poses greater risks for Indians than Western populations. Citing Indian studies, he added that regular yoga practice can reduce type-2 diabetes incidence by up to 40 percent, urging a blend of lifestyle changes, modern medicine, and traditional practices.
On the rising popularity of drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro, Singh urged caution. “While global experience may be encouraging, clinical outcomes often take decades to manifest,” he said, comparing it to the refined oils episode in India where premature conclusions proved misleading.
With over 70 percent of the country’s population under 40, Singh emphasized prevention as the cornerstone of tackling lifestyle diseases. “Economics is too serious a subject to be left to an economist,” he said, quoting Mark Twain. “In the same way, diabetes and obesity are too serious to be left only to a Diabetologist.”
He praised Mithal for producing a book that he said would serve as a guide not just for medical professionals but also for the general public navigating fact and misinformation in a social media-driven age.
BI Bureau
