Obesity and weight management
Obesity is a long-term medical condition in which extra body fat, especially around the waist, raises the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, fatty liver, joint pain, sleep apnea and heart disease. At Medcare in Bongaigaon, Dr. Tamoghna Das treats weight as a medical problem, not a matter of willpower. He looks for the causes, checks how weight is affecting your health, and builds a plan you can keep.
At a glance
- Healthy weight for Indian adults: BMI 18.5 to 22.9. BMI 23 to 24.9 is overweight, and 25 or more is obesity (Asian cut-offs)
- Waist size matters more: 90 cm or more in men, or 80 cm or more in women, means higher risk even at a normal BMI
- At Medcare: consultation, body composition analysis (fat, muscle, water), BP, sugar and HbA1c, and checks for linked conditions
- Realistic first goal: losing 5% to 10% of body weight improves sugar, BP and fatty liver in many people
- Tools: food, activity, sleep, medicines when suitable, and referral for surgery when needed
Why weight is hard to lose
Weight is shaped by much more than food and exercise:
- Genes and family pattern
- Sleep loss, night shifts and stress
- Medicines such as steroids and some medicines for mood or seizures
- Hormone problems such as an underactive thyroid or PCOS
- Sleep apnea, which both causes and is worsened by weight gain
- The body's natural defence against weight loss, which raises hunger after dieting
Understanding these helps us choose a plan that works with your body, not against it.
What your care includes
- Weight history. When weight went up, what has been tried, eating pattern, sleep, stress and medicines.
- Measurements. Weight, height, BMI, waist, BP and body composition analysis to see fat and muscle, not only kilograms.
- Looking for causes and effects. Thyroid, PCOS, sugar, cholesterol, liver, sleep apnea and knee or back problems, with tests chosen for you.
- Your plan. A food plan using local foods and realistic portions, an activity plan that fits your day and joints, and a sleep plan.
- Medicines when suitable. For some people, medicines including GLP-1 medicines may be considered after assessment. See GLP-1 weight-loss medicines.
- Follow-up. Regular visits to check progress, body composition and health markers, and adjust the plan.
- Weight history. When weight went up, what has been tried, eating pattern, sleep, stress and medicines.
- Measurements. Weight, height, BMI, waist, BP and body composition analysis to see fat and muscle, not only kilograms.
- Looking for causes and effects. Thyroid, PCOS, sugar, cholesterol, liver, sleep apnea and knee or back problems, with tests chosen for you.
- Your plan. A food plan using local foods and realistic portions, an activity plan that fits your day and joints, and a sleep plan.
- Medicines when suitable. For some people, medicines including GLP-1 medicines may be considered after assessment. See GLP-1 weight-loss medicines.
- Follow-up. Regular visits to check progress, body composition and health markers, and adjust the plan.
Food and activity, made practical
- Eat at regular times. Long gaps often lead to large evening meals.
- Start meals with vegetables or salad, then dal, fish, egg or paneer, then rice or roti.
- Cut sweet drinks, packaged snacks and fried snacks first. These are the easiest wins.
- Keep sweets and pitha for festivals, in small portions.
- Walk daily. Start with 10 minutes after meals and build up.
- Add simple strength work twice a week to protect muscle.
- Aim for 7 hours of sleep.
When surgery may be discussed
For people with severe obesity, especially with diabetes or other serious conditions, weight-loss (bariatric) surgery can be an option. Dr. Das will explain whether you may benefit and help you decide where to seek a surgical opinion.
FAQs
What is a healthy weight for me?
For Indian adults, a BMI between 18.5 and 22.9 is considered healthy, and a waist under 90 cm for men and 80 cm for women. But health matters more than a number. Dr. Das looks at your sugar, BP, liver, joints and body composition to set a target that suits you.
Why do you measure body composition?
Two people with the same weight can have very different amounts of fat and muscle. Body composition analysis shows fat, muscle and water. It helps check that you are losing fat rather than muscle and shows progress even when the scale moves slowly.
Can thyroid problems cause weight gain?
An underactive thyroid can add a few kilograms and make weight loss harder, but it is rarely the only cause of obesity. A simple blood test (TSH) checks thyroid function. If it is low, treating it helps, alongside the rest of the plan.
How fast should I lose weight?
A steady loss of about 0.5 to 1 kg a week is safe for most people. Very fast loss often comes from muscle and water and is hard to keep off. Small steady changes that you can continue are better than strict short-term diets.
Are weight-loss medicines right for me?
Medicines can help some people when food and activity changes are not enough, especially if weight is harming health. They are not suitable for everyone and need medical follow-up. Dr. Das will assess you and discuss the benefits, side effects and costs honestly before any decision.
Do you give a diet chart?
You will get clear food advice, but not a one-size chart. Advice is built around what you already eat, your work hours and your family meals, so it is easier to follow. It is reviewed and changed at follow-up visits.
Sources
- Consensus statement for diagnosis of obesity, abdominal obesity and the metabolic syndrome for Asian Indians (JAPI)
- World Health Organization, Obesity and overweight fact sheet
Related care
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tamoghna Das, MBBS, MD (Medicine) · Assam Council of Medical Registration No. 20276 · Last reviewed 3 October 2026
Book a visit with Dr. Tamoghna Das
Call 60031 21297 or send a WhatsApp message. We confirm your time within 30 to 60 minutes during clinic hours.