Union Minister Jitendra Singh Launches Book on Weight Loss; Calls for Mass Awareness Against Obesity and Diabetes

New Delhi, August 17: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, on Sunday launched the book “The Weight Loss Revolution – Weight Loss Drugs and How to Use Them”, authored by leading endocrinologist Dr Ambrish Mithal and journalist Shivam Vij. The event was attended by cinema legend Sharmila Tagore and media personality Shobhana Bhartia.

Dr Singh, a Professor of Medicine and noted Diabetologist himself, said the book arrives at a critical time when India is witnessing a surge in obesity and metabolic disorders. Cautioning against the spread of fad diets and unscientific regimens, he said, “While awareness and the right kind of information need to be propagated, we must guard against disinformation.”

He noted that India, once called the “diabetes capital of the world,” is now also among the top three countries in childhood obesity. He linked obesity to rising cases of diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and fatty liver disease. Stressing on prevention, he added that “Indian solutions for Indian patients” must be prioritized, pointing out that central obesity poses a greater risk for Indians than Western populations. “Sometimes a simple inch tape around the waist may be more meaningful than a fanciful BMI chart,” he said.

The Minister also highlighted the role of lifestyle interventions, citing studies showing that yoga practice can reduce type-2 diabetes risk by up to 40%. On new weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, he urged caution, warning that hasty conclusions without long-term clinical data could be misleading.

“Prevention, not just medication, must remain the mainstay of tackling obesity and diabetes,” Dr Singh emphasized, adding that with over 70% of India’s population below the age of 40, lifestyle diseases could compromise the nation’s demographic advantage if not addressed urgently.

Quoting Mark Twain, he remarked: “Economics is too serious a subject to be left to an economist; in the same way, diabetes and obesity are too serious to be left only to a Diabetologist.” He called for a mass movement against metabolic disorders to achieve optimum health outcomes.

Dr Singh praised Dr Mithal’s book as a timely and authoritative resource that will help both medical professionals and the public distinguish fact from misinformation in an era dominated by social media.