Hyderabad, August 4, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India is witnessing a growing metabolic health crisis driven by changing dietary habits, increased consumption of processed foods and increasingly sedentary lifestyles, according to a leading gastroenterologist, who warned that obesity should be viewed as a complex metabolic disorder rather than merely a weight-related condition.
Speaking to IANS, Dr. Kalapala, Consultant Gastroenterologist and Director, Center for Obesity and Metabolic Therapy at AIG Hospitals, said obesity affects multiple organs and significantly increases the risk of disorders such as fatty liver disease, diabetes and other systemic illnesses.
He noted that highly processed foods rich in refined carbohydrates, unhealthy fats and sugars have become widely available across both urban and rural India, contributing to unhealthy eating patterns.
According to Dr. Kalapala, such foods delay satiety and increase food cravings, encouraging excessive calorie intake while offering little nutritional value due to their low protein content. Over time, this combination adversely affects metabolic health and promotes weight gain and related complications.
The expert observed that metabolic disorders are increasingly affecting even individuals who do not smoke, consume alcohol or eat non-vegetarian food. He attributed this trend to unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and rising stress levels, all of which contribute to the growing prevalence of fatty liver disease.
He cautioned that fatty liver often progresses silently and may only be detected through ultrasound scans or liver function tests, by which stage liver damage may already have occurred.
Dr. Kalapala also highlighted the role of stress, saying it stimulates unhealthy eating through the gut-brain axis while discouraging regular physical activity.
Expressing concern over rising childhood obesity, he cited findings from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), which indicate that obesity affects between 15 and 18 per cent of children in India.
He further said the problem often begins before birth, explaining that maternal obesity during pregnancy can increase the child’s risk of obesity. Combined with academic pressures, reduced outdoor activity and the shrinking availability of playgrounds in schools, many children are entering adolescence with significant metabolic health risks.
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