Dr Reddy’s launches educational initiative to strengthen obesity care workforce

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories has launched a nationwide educational initiative aimed at strengthening India’s obesity care workforce through the development of a network of Certified Obesity Educators.

The initiative seeks to equip more than 5,000 healthcare support professionals with specialised training in obesity prevention, risk assessment, patient counselling and long-term management, helping bridge a critical gap in obesity care delivery across the country.

“India’s obesity challenge extends far beyond weight management. It is increasingly becoming a driver of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and several other chronic health conditions that impact millions of lives. While treatment options continue to evolve, sustainable outcomes require a broader support ecosystem built on informed patients, trained support professionals, sustained counselling and coordinated care,’’ M V Ramana, CEO, Global Generics, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories said in a release on Monday.

“Through this initiative, we aim to strengthen a critical but often overlooked pillar of obesity management by building a workforce that can support physicians and patients alike, helping create a more capable, connected and patient-centred obesity care ecosystem in India,’’ he added.

Through a structured education and certification programme developed in collaboration with endocrinologists and clinicians, the initiative will train nurses, diabetes educators, dietitians and allied healthcare support professionals to become Certified Obesity Educators.

Upon certification, these professionals will gain evidence-based knowledge and practical skills to support obesity risk assessment, lifestyle modification, behavioural change, treatment adherence and promote structured long-term obesity management.

India is confronting one of the world’s largest obesity burdens. More than 254 million adults are estimated to be living with generalized obesity, while approximately 351 million are affected by abdominal obesity in India.

Despite the growing scale of the challenge, obesity continues to be under-recognised and inadequately managed, with many patients receiving limited support beyond periodic physician consultations.

As obesity increasingly contributes to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease and other metabolic disorders, there is a growing need to strengthen healthcare capacity and create support systems that enable sustained patient engagement and long-term care.

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