Ahmedabad: For years, the size-zero ideal and social-media-driven body image were the biggest triggers for weight loss in Gujarat. But in recent months, something unusual has begun unfolding inside clinics across the state. Patients who once asked doctors for diet charts or multivitamin advice are now raising a different question altogether: can medical weight-loss injections help? As awareness of lifestyle disorders grows and access improves, weight management is shifting from casual lifestyle advice to a structured medical conversation.According to a recent stakeholder study conducted by Pronto Consult, at least 58% of doctors reported that at least 40% of their patients are overweight or obese. “Doctors say 40-50% patients raise questions about new weight-loss injections during consultations reflecting a clear move away from traditional symptom-driven consultations,” it reveals. A sample size of 433 doctors from across the state have participated in the study in addition to 233 consumers. The study covered clinics across urban centres and smaller cities in Gujarat, as obesity burden is no longer confined to major metros.Gujarat’s motivations for weight loss have evolved. Nearly half of consumers, 48%, cite prevention of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and hypertension as their primary driver, overtaking appearance-related reasons at 34%.Dr Karishma Shah, founder and managing partner, Pronto Consult, said, “Awareness among people in Gujarat about obesity and related drugs is intentional. Consumers are informed, but cautious. A striking Gujarat specific pattern is the dominance of disease avoidance over appearance. Fear of diabetes, hypertension, fatty liver and other ailments associated with weight gain is pushing consumers to act earlier than before. Weight is increasingly viewed as a risk multiplier. This shift aligns strongly with Gujarat’s rising metabolic disease burden and high awareness of lifestyle diseases. As a result, Semaglutide is being evaluated as a preventive metabolic intervention, not merely a weight loss drug.”Nearly two-thirds of doctors in Gujarat are already prescribing GLP-1 therapies actively or occasionally, reflecting growing clinical comfort with these drugs, according to the study.For some patients, these therapies have delivered sustained metabolic benefits after years of failed lifestyle-only attempts.Himadri Mehta, 59, a healthcare professional, struggled for nearly a decade to lose weight through exercise, diet and non-medical remedies, with little success. “My sister in the US suggested GLP-1 therapy as my HbA1C remained above 8 and I was living with diabetes. After consulting doctors, I was started on the treatment. Nearly two years on, I have lost 11 kg, my HbA1C has come down to 7.1, and my BMI has reduced,” she said. Mehta added that she experienced nausea and vomiting during the early phase of treatment, underscoring the need for medical supervision.In another case, Purav Parmar (name changed), 35, working in a major pharma firm in the city, was suffering from severe sleep apnoea along with hypertension and diabetes. At 126 kg, he had body mass index (BMI) of 35. Dr Ramesh Goyal, a senior endocrinologist and diabetologist with Apollo Hospitals, said that Parmar initially underwent typical weight loss regime including diet and lifestyle modifications such as exercising. “However, whoever has taken up the journey know that to shed kilos is a major task and it is not one-size-fits-all approach. For apnoea, he was also using Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is a non-invasive ventilation. But it did not work well for him. Thus, he was administered GLP-1 treatment,” he said.In about eight months, Parmar has shed significant weight and now weighs 85 kg with BMI of 27. “His productivity has increased and the fatigue due to disturbed sleep has also got reduced significantly,” added Dr Goyal.But he cautions that GLP-1 should not be seen as a shortcut. “Not all are eligible for the same – it is advisable only for those with BMI of 30 or more or 27 or more with major comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiac issues, and sleep apnoea among others,” said Dr Goyal, adding that in his OPD, about 20% of the patients are prescribed the treatment.However, affordability remains an issue for most consumers.“Over 80% of consumers say they would consider injectable therapies if advised by a doctor, and nearly 60% indicate a willingness to spend up to Rs 3,000 a month if safety, outcomes and guidance are assured,” the study states.Consumer data mirrors this caution. While 56% of respondents have heard of semaglutide and 46% have seen it discussed on social media, only a minority have taken the next step. High cost remains the top deterrent for 68% of consumers, followed by fear of side effects at 46% and lack of doctor guidance at 41%Dr Manoj Agrawal, paediatric and adolescent endocrinologist at Shalby Hospitals, said awareness of medical weight-loss options has risen sharply, with 40–50% of patients now enquiring about injectable therapies. Uptake, earlier limited by cost, has increased with the availability of biosimilars and better outcomes, he said. However, he cautioned that injections are not a standalone solution and are prescribed to only 20–30% of patients, alongside diet, exercise and medical supervision. Dr Agrawal added that weight regain is common without follow-up, while rapid loss can lead to muscle depletion, making counselling and adequate protein intake essential.
