Dr. Jitendra Singh Launches Book on Weight Loss, urges Science-Based Awareness on Obesity & Metabolic Disorders

New Delhi – Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy, and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, today inaugurated the book “The Weight Loss Revolution – Weight Loss Drugs and How to Use Them”, co-authored by eminent endocrinologist Dr. Ambrish Mithal and Shivam Vij. The launch event saw the presence of cinema icon Sharmila Tagore and media leader Shobhana Bhartia.

Dr. Singh, who is also a Professor of Medicine and a well-known diabetologist, said the book is arriving at a critical time as India faces a rising tide of obesity and associated metabolic disorders. He emphasized the importance of spreading accurate, scientifically validated information while warning against the perils of misinformation and unverified fad diets.

Highlighting India’s health scenario, he observed that the country, once known as the diabetes capital of the world, is now emerging as a major hub for obesity, ranking third globally in childhood obesity. Dr. Singh stressed that metabolic disorders, including diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, coronary heart disease, and fatty liver disease, are becoming increasingly prevalent, and public awareness about these issues is growing rapidly.

The Minister underlined that dietary guidance must be based on scientific principles of quantity, quality, and distribution of food intake. He advocated for “Indian data for Indian patients,” noting that central obesity—the accumulation of fat around the abdomen—is a more pressing concern for Indians compared to Western populations. He added that simple waist measurements could sometimes provide more useful health insights than traditional BMI charts.

Dr. Singh also highlighted the value of lifestyle interventions, citing Indian studies that suggest regular yoga practice can lower the risk of type-2 diabetes by up to 40%. He urged for the integration of lifestyle changes, modern medical approaches, and traditional practices to offer holistic solutions to obesity and metabolic disorders.

Addressing emerging weight loss medications such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, Dr. Singh advised caution, emphasizing that while global results appear promising, it often takes decades to fully understand clinical outcomes. Drawing a parallel with India’s refined oils episode, he warned against hasty conclusions.

Concluding his remarks, Dr. Singh stressed the importance of prevention-focused strategies, particularly given India’s young demographic, with over 70% of the population under 40 years of age. He emphasized that safeguarding youth health is crucial, and prevention must remain central to all national health initiatives.

Quoting Mark Twain, Dr. Singh noted that “economics is too serious a subject to be left to an economist,” adding that in a similar way, obesity and diabetes are too serious to be left only to diabetologists. He highlighted that mass awareness is key to tackling lifestyle diseases effectively.

The Minister also lauded Dr. Ambrish Mithal for creating a timely and authoritative book that not only serves as a valuable resource for medical professionals but also helps the public navigate facts from misinformation in an era dominated by social media and quick-fix solutions.