2025 New Year Resolutions
It’s that time of the year when we make New Year’s Resolutions. This year’s number one resolution that tops the chart is healthy diet and weight loss which is being wished by 51% of the people. Next is wishing for wealth which is wished by 21%. Finally comes spending quality time with friends and family which is wished by 14%. This is much lower this year post covid lockdown. Is there any correlation to the obesity trends in India with the New Year’s Resolutions for 2025?
Obesity Trends in India
Body Mass Index (BMI) scale is used to indicate if one is obese or not. The different classifications are as unde for India. Please note that this is not the same for other countries which may vary or are higher:
- Normal BMI: 18.0-22.9 kg/m²
- Overweight: 23.0-24.9 kg/m²
- Obesity: ≥25 kg/m²
The prevalence of obesity has been increasing, with nearly one in four Indians now considered overweight. Approximately 24% of women and 23% of men aged 15-49 are classified as overweight or obese in India. Obesity rates are higher in urban areas (30% of men and 33% of women) compared to rural areas (19% of men and 25% of women).
Dietary Trends in India
The Economic Survey 2023-24 noted unhealthy diets and rising rates of obesity need to be tackled urgently to improve health parameters, in order to reap the gains of the country’s demographic dividend. Citing the Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) latest dietary guidelines, published in April this year, it notes the fact that 56.4% of the total disease burden in India is due to unhealthy diets. The ICMR report observes that the upsurge in the consumption of highly processed foods, laden with sugars and fat, coupled with reduced physical activity and limited access to diverse foods, exacerbate micronutrient deficiencies and overweight/obesity problems.
Correlating Obesity, Diet and 2025 New Year’s Resolutions
There seems to be a positive correlation between the weight loss and what people wishing to achieve in 2025 with respect to their diet and weight. These are many reasons for this correlation. These could be:
- Calling for ill-Health: Obesity leads to chronic inflammation and impact longevity (listen to podcast on longevity https://open.spotify.com/episode/19pvPEE7f5UGgzJyXSlLsS?si=5f06687dfcf64232). Over the years, the body’s organs don’t function as effectively as they should. Damage to the pancreas, for example, leads to diabetes; damage to the heart leads to cardiovascular disease; and damage to the brain leads to dementia. And even if someone loses weight, the damage is not irreversible. (The liver is the only organ that can regenerate itself.) Obesity is also linked to many cancers, musculoskeletal problems, depression and obstructive sleep apnea. Some of the co-morbidities with obesity and overweight people include:
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Cardiovascular Disease
- PAD (Peripheral Arterial Disease)
- Alzheimer’s
- Heart Failure
- MASH (Fatty Liver Disease)
Sounds very alarming for increasing healthcare costs!
- Better Employability: As per the National Health and Family Surveys, obese and over weight people have issues with their employability and their ability to work. This is tied to their overall health and their physical abilities. Hence being fit and normal BMI works in their favour.
- Lifestyle, Fashion and Aesthetics: One of the most fundamental drivers of behavior is the desire to look attractive. Sales for personal care and beauty products easily exceed USD 25 billion by 2029, and sales for apparel reach USD 550 billion by 2029. This is a very aspiration segment. (listen to podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/36TCAlD1gglGXoWJtDa27o?si=09dd617d77434985). A significant number of Indians are unhappy with their weight and body image. A study involving participants from 65 countries found that Indians have lower body image satisfaction compared to many other nations.
Meeting and Beating the 2025 New Year Resolutions
Like any resolution, the compliance to any New Year Resolution is very low. Coming to managing ones weight reduction, the compliance is even lower. The level of compliance with weight loss programs among Indians varies widely. Several factors influence this, including cultural attitudes towards weight, accessibility to resources, and individual motivation.
- Cultural Attitudes: In many parts of India, there is a cultural acceptance of larger body sizes, which can affect motivation to lose weight.
- Accessibility to Resources: Access to weight loss programs, gyms, and healthy food options can be limited, especially in rural areas.
- Individual Motivation: Personal commitment and motivation play a crucial role. Many individuals start weight loss programs but struggle to maintain long-term adherence due to lifestyle challenges and lack of support.
With such low levels of compliance and issues surrounding it, what has the healthcare industry done to find solutions to the weighty problems?
Healthcare Industry’s Invasive and Non Invasive Solutions to Obesity
There are several invasive and non-invasive solutions to obesity reduction. Here’s a brief overview of both:
Invasive Solutions
- Gastric Bypass Surgery: This procedure involves creating a small pouch from the stomach and connecting it directly to the small intestine. This bypasses a large part of the stomach and some of the small intestine, reducing the amount of food you can eat and absorb.
- Gastric Sleeve Surgery: Also known as sleeve gastrectomy, this surgery removes a large portion of the stomach, leaving a tube-like structure. This limits the amount of food you can consume.
- Adjustable Gastric Banding: A band is placed around the upper part of the stomach to create a small pouch that holds food. The band can be adjusted to control the amount of food intake.
- Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS): This complex surgery involves removing a portion of the stomach and bypassing a significant part of the small intestine. It reduces the amount of food intake and nutrient absorption
Invasive surgery is expensive and not affordable by many. Also, this has to be followed up with non-invasive and other cosmetic surgery later on.
Non-Invasive Solutions
- CoolSculpting: This technique uses controlled cooling to freeze and destroy fat cells. The body then naturally eliminates these dead cells over time.
- SculpSure: A laser-based treatment that targets and heats fat cells, causing them to break down and be absorbed by the body.
- Kybella: An injectable treatment that destroys fat cells under the chin, improving the appearance of a double chin
- Emsculpt: This procedure uses high-intensity focused electromagnetic energy to induce muscle contractions, which can help reduce fat and build muscle.
- Lifestyle Modifications: Diet and exercise remain fundamental. Behavioral therapy and support groups can also be effective in managing obesity
Each method has its own benefits and risks, and the best choice depends on individual health conditions, preferences, and goals.
GLP-1 The Magic Pill for Obesity
During 2024, a hype has been created over social media, celebrities both in Bollywood and Hollywood about GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), the wonder drug and magic pill for weight reduction. For the scientifically advanced beings, brief overview of the mechanism of action of GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1):
- Secretion: GLP-1 is secreted by the intestinal L-cells in response to food intake.
- Receptor Binding: GLP-1 binds to its receptors located in various organs, including the pancreas, brain, stomach, and heart.
- Insulin Secretion: In the pancreas, GLP-1 enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion.
- Glucagon Suppression: It suppresses glucagon release, which helps lower blood glucose levels.
- Gastric Emptying: GLP-1 slows gastric emptying, promoting satiety and reducing food intake.
- Neuroprotection: It has neuroprotective effects and may improve cognitive function.
For the least scientifically advanced beings, GLP-1 works in reducing the food appetite and the weight of a person by 15-20%. In addition, GLP-1 also works on other co-morbidies such as
- Diabetes Management: GLP-1 agonists are medications that help lower blood sugar levels by increasing insulin secretion and decreasing glucagon release. They also slow down gastric emptying, which helps control blood sugar spikes after meals.
- Weight Loss: These medications are also effective for weight loss. They work by reducing appetite and increasing feelings of fullness, which can lead to reduced calorie intake and weight loss.
- Cardiovascular Benefits: Some GLP-1 agonists have been shown to provide cardiovascular benefits, such as reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with type 2 diabetes.
- Potential Kidney Benefits: Emerging research suggests that GLP-1 agonists may also have protective effects on kidney function.
- Parkinson, Alzheimer’s and Dementia: Early clinical research is showing effective results in patients with neuro issues with a lower risk of the cognitive issues (such as memory loss) that are often an early sign of dementia.
- Addiction Management: This is still very early and GLP-1 is being tested on animals and showing positive results on addiction to alcohol and nicotine.
Statutory Warning:
All drugs have side effects, and the GLP-1s are no exception. The most common ones are gastro-intestinal problems, for example diarrhea. In addition, the drugs cause the loss of lean muscle mass, which is particularly concerning for the elderly. Moreover, newer formulations or the next generation of GLP-1 are also being researched and will circumvent the side effects.
GLP-1 in India
In India, several GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists are available for the management of diabetes and obesity. Here are some of the notable ones:
- Liraglutide: Marketed under the brand name Lirafit™ by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, this drug is used to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes.
- Semaglutide: Available as an oral formulation, this drug is marketed by Novo Nordisk India and is used for diabetes management.
- Exenatide: Another GLP-1 agonist used for diabetes treatment, though specific brand names in India may vary.
I am also informed that there is a venture working on GLP-1 extracted from plants peptides under development.
As for me, I am wishing that 2025 will bring in more innovation in GLP-1 solutions which are more effective!
Happy New Year 2025!
