Obesity a Serious Public Health Challenge, Requires Society-Wide Action: Dr Jitendra Singh at Asia Oceania Conference on Obesity.
New Delhi:
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and MoS PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh, has cautioned against shortcuts in the fight against obesity, urging judicious use of weight-reducing drugs and curbing misinformation surrounding obesity management.
Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day Asia Oceania Conference on Obesity (AOCO), he emphasized that obesity is a complex, chronic, and relapsing disorder, far beyond a cosmetic or lifestyle concern, and requires a coordinated societal approach.
The conference, attended by leading experts including Dr Kyoung Kon Kim, Dr Volkan Yumuk, Dr Mahendra Narwaria, Dr B.M. Makkar, and Dr Banshi Saboo, reflects the growing seriousness of the obesity epidemic in India. Drawing a compelling analogy, Dr Singh remarked that “just as economics is too serious to be left to an economist alone, obesity is too serious to be left solely to doctors,” underscoring its social, cultural, and environmental dimensions.
Highlighting alarming public health statistics, Dr Singh pointed out that nearly 63% of deaths in India are linked to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), many of which are closely associated with obesity. Conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers are significantly influenced by central or visceral obesity, which is particularly prevalent among Indians.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Dr Singh noted the unprecedented national focus on obesity and lifestyle diseases. Initiatives like FIT India, Khelo India, and emphasis on sustainable dietary habits reflect obesity as a national health priority. Since 2014, the government has prioritized preventive healthcare, early interventions, and affordability, with programs such as Ayushman Bharat and mass screening campaigns.
Dr Singh warned against the proliferation of unscientific claims, commercialization, and quick-fix solutions that mislead the public, stressing the importance of evidence-based care and responsible communication through modern media. He also underscored the need to reach younger generations, stating, “We must talk not only to those who know, but also to those who do not know that they do not know,” highlighting the role of public awareness in safeguarding India’s youth and achieving the vision of a developed nation by 2047.
During the conference, Dr Singh launched the AIAARO Obesity Registry, a key initiative aimed at strengthening India’s obesity research ecosystem through systematic data collection, evidence-based insights, and long-term policy support.
The AOCO, organized by the All-India Association for Advancing Research in Obesity (AIAARO) in association with the Asia Oceania Association for the Study of Obesity (AOASO), IAEPEN India, and OSSI, is the flagship regional conference addressing obesity as both a medical and societal challenge. By bringing together national and international experts, the conference aims to share global best practices, advance research collaboration, and empower evidence-based management of obesity across Asia and Oceania.
Dr Singh concluded by stressing that combating obesity requires more than medical interventions—it demands informed public participation, sustained awareness, and coordinated action across society.
