The Obesity Society (TOS), a professional organisation focused on obesity science, treatment and prevention based in the United States, has concluded the first edition of The Obesity Conclave in India. The event brought together national and international experts to discuss obesity care in India through evidence-based, stigma-free and patient-centric approaches.
The two-day conclave was co-hosted by Insignia Learning, a knowledge partner for life sciences organisations, with support from Dr Reddy’s, which served as the medical education partner. The conclave focused on the burden of obesity and associated cardio-metabolic complications through dialogue, knowledge exchange and clinical collaboration. The event saw participation from endocrinologists, cardiologists, diabetologists and metabolic health specialists from across India.
India continues to face a metabolic disease burden. According to the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5), one in four Indians has obesity. India ranks second globally in the number of adults living with diabetes, with around 90 million adults aged 20–79 years affected in 2024, as reported by The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology and the IDF Diabetes Atlas. The data reflects urbanisation, lifestyle changes and rising obesity across age groups.
The conclave opened with an address by Padma Shri Dr V. Mohan, Chairman, Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre and Madras Diabetes Research Foundation. He presented findings from the ICMR-INDIAB National Study on diabetes and non-communicable diseases in India, highlighting the prevalence of metabolic obesity and the need for early intervention.
“Obesity and related metabolic disorders have reached alarming levels across both urban and rural India, affecting more than 250 million people. Notably, over 43 per cent of Indians have metabolic obesity despite a normal BMI (MONO), a distinct phenotype that carries serious metabolic consequences,” Dr Mohan said.
The first day included scientific discussions on obesity and its association with cardio-renal-metabolic disorders. Experts from TOS, including Dr Marc-Andre Cornier and Dr Sriram Machineni, spoke on treatment approaches and long-term care strategies.
“Our understanding of obesity has evolved significantly over the years from isolated risk factors to a complex cardio-kidney-metabolic continuum. We now recognise that obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, inflammation and cardiovascular risk are deeply interconnected and progress in stages. The challenge today lies in early identification, risk stratification, and timely intervention before irreversible damage occurs. The Obesity Conclave plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between evolving science and clinical practice,” said Dr Marc-Andre Cornier, Director, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Medical University of South Carolina, United States, and Immediate Past President, The Obesity Society.
The second day featured workshops on obesity management and care, covering obesity therapeutics, clinical evidence and patient-focused treatment pathways. The sessions discussed personalised, phenotype-based treatment approaches combined with nutrition-aligned therapy and patient engagement. The conclave concluded with discussions on the role of obesity exemplar centres in supporting long-term care and treatment continuity.
In his closing address, Padma Shri awardee Dr Shashank R. Joshi, endocrinologist based in Mumbai and one of the founders of the Indian Obesity Society, said, “Obesity must be viewed far beyond a weight-loss programme. It is a complex, chronic disease, and a one-size-fits-all approach simply does not work. This means individuals with a seemingly normal BMI may still be metabolically unhealthy, underscoring the need for personalised, phenotype-driven obesity management.”