Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories has launched a nationwide educational initiative to strengthen India’s obesity care workforce by developing a network of Certified Obesity Educators.
The initiative aims to train more than 5,000 healthcare support professionals in obesity prevention, risk assessment, patient counselling and long-term management, with the objective of addressing critical gaps in obesity care.
Dr. Reddy’s highlighted that India is facing a growing burden of obesity, with more than 254 million adults estimated to be living with generalised obesity and around 351 million affected by abdominal obesity. Despite the scale of the problem, obesity remains under-recognised and inadequately managed, with many patients receiving limited support beyond periodic consultations with physicians.
As obesity is also associated with a range of chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and fatty liver disease, Dr. Reddy’s stressed the need to strengthen healthcare capacity and create support systems that enable sustained patient engagement and long-term care.
M V Ramana, CEO, Global Generics, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, said that addressing India’s obesity challenge requires a broader support ecosystem built on informed patients, trained support professionals, sustained counselling and coordinated care.
“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,” Ramana said.
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.
The trained professionals will work alongside physicians to support patients throughout their obesity management journey. By strengthening frontline capabilities and expanding access to structured counselling and education, the initiative aims to improve continuity of care, encourage earlier intervention and drive better long-term health outcomes.
