The alarming rise of medicalisation in India, Pg6

Key Highlights:

• Air India's announcement of potential pay cuts for crew with higher BMI coincides with new anti-obesity drugs entering the Indian market.
• Nearly a quarter of Indians are overweight or obese, contributing to metabolic conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
• Pharmaceutical companies use surrogate advertising to promote anti-obesity drugs, influencing public perception.
• Anti-obesity medications can lead to sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass) unless paired with protein intake and exercise.

Detailed Insights:

• India's obesity rates are rising due to processed foods, sedentary lifestyles, and genetic predispositions.
• Pharmaceutical marketing subtly shapes public expectations, blurring the line between scientific advancement and commercial interests.
• Sarcopenia, a side effect of anti-obesity drugs, is emerging as a new therapeutic target for pharmaceutical companies.
• Clinical guidelines are frequently updated, potentially influenced by market forces rather than long-term evidence.
• Ultra-processed food sector growth fuels metabolic diseases, while policy responses like front-of-package labels are delayed.
• True health requires a focus on diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management, not just pharmaceutical solutions.

Key Concepts Involved:

• BMI (Body Mass Index): A measure of body fat based on height and weight.
• Sarcopenia: Loss of muscle tissue and strength as a natural part of aging.
• Medicalisation: The process by which non-medical problems become defined and treated as medical issues.