GLP-1 drugs may curb obesity in India, but lasting health gains require better diets, exercise, and stronger public health systems
In the last two decades, the use of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, originally developed for diabetes treatment, has skyrocketed. They are widely used for obesity treatment as they suppress appetite, slow gastric emptying, and reduce food cravings. This debate sits at the intersection of medicine, nutrition, public health, consumer psychology, and business strategy. Research suggests that GLP-1 drugs could finally reverse decades of portion inflation and binge eating. However, critics counter that reshaping food systems through the pharmaceuticalisation \ignores underlying health challenges such as sedentary lifestyles, ultra-processed foods, and nutrition inequality.
Figure 1: How GLP-1 Controls Appetite
Source: The GLP-1 Revolution
Figure 1 shows how GLP-1 helps reduce food intake. Research shows that large portion sizes often lead to consuming more calories despite not being hungry. A review on portion size and obesity demonstrates that portion size is a “powerful and proportionate” driver of the amount of food consumed. Evidence also points to the consumption of high-energy-dense and low-nutritional-value foods as major drivers for obesity and overweight among both adults and children. Studies and market data increasingly show that people taking GLP-1 drugs have a 16-39 percent calorie reduction, reduced appetite and altered food preferences. A 2023 analysis shows that consumers on weight loss drugs buy fewer processed and sugary foods and switch to healthier options. Their grocery bills have reduced by 5 to 8 percent as they consume fewer calories and they are also eating out less frequently.
India’s situation is different from the United States, as its enormous portion size is normal, whereas Indian diets are traditionally more grain and vegetable-based, and shared family meals.
This debate is especially relevant for India as reports suggest large sales and adoption of GLP-1 among affluent urban consumers across Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru. Rising awareness, affordability, and lifestyle-related obesity concerns are driving the demand. Since the launch of Wegovy and Mounjaro in India in 2025, sales have crossed the 1000 crore mark, and partnerships are being explored between the drug and food companies tailored for semaglutide usage. India’s situation is different from the United States, as its enormous portion size is normal, whereas Indian diets are traditionally more grain and vegetable-based, and shared family meals. The rising non-nutritious food choices among urban Indian and the rising non-communicable diseases are making grounds for GLP-1 usage. Analysts find India to be a key market for lower-cost GLP-1 and expected to expand to US$ 1 billion by 2030 with mass adoption among tier 2 and 3 cities. This is also evident from behavioural shift in grocery purchase on nutrient-dense items, lean protein and health foods.
From a public health perspective, these transformations are beneficial for weight loss, blood sugar control and cardiovascular outcomes; however, they are not risk-free. GLP-1 mimics the natural gut hormone glucagon-like peptide-1, which stimulates insulin release, slows digestion, and signals the brain when the stomach is full. In turn, one consumes fewer calories, reduces hunger and feels full. Lifestyle interventions, along with behavioural support, are essential while using GLP-1 drugs to avoid unintended health consequences.
However, studies have reported side effects like gastrointestinal discomfort, nutritional deficiencies due to poor eating, muscle loss, and weight regain after treatments end. Researchers caution against rapid weight loss as it is associated with loss of lean muscle mass alongside body fat if GLP-1 is not combined with adequate strength training and protein intake. The weight gain happens when healthy eating and lifestyle modifications are not continued post-treatment. World Health Organization Guideline on the Use and Indications of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Therapies for the Treatment of Obesity in Adults, recommends ‘long-term GLP-1 therapies combined with intensive behavioural therapy to maximise and sustain benefits’.
India faces the double burden of obesity and non-communicable diseases, being the diabetes capital. With increasingly sedentary lifestyles and rising intake of ultra-processed food, urban India is embracing GLP-1 for weight management.
India faces the double burden of obesity and non-communicable diseases, being the diabetes capital. With increasingly sedentary lifestyles and rising intake of ultra-processed food, urban India is embracing GLP-1 for weight management. Yet the affordability of GLP-1 drugs for populations in developing nations remains a concern. In India, they are not covered by insurance, unlike the UK, US, France, and Japan. The cost of the GLP-1 drug in India ranges from Rs.325/week to Rs.3,281/week for the generic to the premium range, respectively.
Going forward, GLP-1 drugs can be a fix for India’s metabolic diseases and lifestyle crisis, long-term obesity treatment lies in prevention. There is an urgent need to reshape consumer eating behaviour in India along with creating a food ecosystem that is affordable, available, accessible. and sustainable for all. The policy challenge is to ensure such innovations complement and do not substitute public health strategies.
Shoba Suri is a Senior Fellow with the Health Initiative at the Observer Research Foundation.
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Dr. Shoba Suri is a Senior Fellow with ORFs Health Initiative. Shoba is a nutritionist with experience in community and clinical research. She has worked on nutrition, ...
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