By: IPP Bureau
Last updated : August 21, 2026 2:29 pm
First joint position statement brings together 78 experts and 55 recommendations, urging treatment based on disease severity, metabolic risk and individual health needs
The Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society of India (OSSI) and the Endocrine Society of India (ESI) have jointly developed the Expert Consensus on Obesity Management Protocols – A Joint Position Statement by OSSI and ESI.
Published in Obesity Surgery on August 3, 2026, the consensus brings together 78 experts and 55 recommendationscovering the spectrum of obesity care, from prevention and diagnosis to lifestyle interventions, medications, metabolic and bariatric surgery, monitoring, long-term follow-up and palliative care.
“Obesity is a chronic disease that requires timely recognition, scientific treatment and long-term care. This joint consensus provides a unified, India-specific framework that can help move the conversation away from blame and towards evidence-based medical care,” said Dr. K. S. Kular, President, Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society of India (OSSI).
The consensus highlights that obesity is influenced by a complex interplay of genetic, metabolic, endocrine, environmental, psychological, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors, many of which may be beyond an individual's control.
“People living with obesity are often made to feel that their weight is simply the result of poor eating habits or lack of willpower. This creates guilt, shame and hesitation in seeking medical help,” said Dr. Aparna Govil Bhasker, Bariatric and Metabolic Surgeon, MetaHeal. “Obesity deserves the same scientific, compassionate and long-term approach as any other chronic disease. The focus should be on improving health, not blaming the individual.”
Importantly, the recommendations emphasise that BMI or body weight alone should not determine treatment. Indians tend to have higher body fat and develop metabolic complications such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease at comparatively lower BMI levels and younger ages than Western populations.
“India needs an approach to obesity that reflects the unique metabolic risks of our population. Assessment must look beyond weight alone and consider the overall health of the individual,” said Dr. Kaushik Pandit, President, Endocrine Society of India (ESI).
Dr. Nitin Kapoor, Endocrinologist, CMC Vellore, added, “BMI is only one part of the picture. Diabetes, fatty liver disease, sleep apnoea, mobility, cardiovascular risk and overall disease burden should guide how early and how intensively obesity is treated.”
“The consensus moves away from a rigid treatment ladder. Treatment should be personalised and can evolve as the patient’s health needs change,” said Dr. KVS Hari Kumar, Honorary Secretary, Endocrine Society of India.
“Obesity is a progressive and relapsing disease, and delaying appropriate treatment can allow both the disease and its associated complications to advance,” said Dr. Randeep Wadhawan, Immediate Past President, Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society of India (OSSI). “The important message from this consensus is that treatment should be individualised and timely. We should not wait for patients to develop severe complications before offering them effective medical, endoscopic or surgical treatment.”
“Lifestyle measures, medications, endoscopic therapies and metabolic and bariatric surgery should not be seen as competing treatments. They are different tools that can be used at different stages of the same disease,” said Dr. Sarfaraz Baig, Bariatric and Metabolic Surgeon, Kolkata.
The consensus also addresses the growing use of newer obesity medications. Dr. Shehla Shaikh, Endocrinologist, Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai, said, “Newer medications have significantly expanded our treatment options, but they are medical therapies and should be used under appropriate supervision, based on the patient’s health, associated conditions and treatment goals.”
Beyond individual treatment, the experts call for a broader change in India's approach to obesity, including stigma-free care, equitable access to treatment and integration of obesity prevention and management into national health programmes.
The consensus also supports population-level measures such as clearer food labelling, healthier school environments and public awareness initiatives.