New Delhi, 1st July 2026: Obesity is no longer viewed simply as a matter of willpower, overeating or lack of exercise. It is now widely understood as a chronic metabolic disease, often linked with diabetes, fatty liver disease, hypertension, sleep apnea, heart disease risk and reduced quality of life. For many people, especially in urban India, weight gain creeps in slowly over years as a result of longer working hours, irregular meals, high-calorie processed food, poor sleep, stress and reduced physical activity, all of which play their own part.
A common example seen in clinical practice is the 38-year-old professional who has tried multiple diets, lost 4–5 kg, regained it, and then stopped trying altogether. Or the middle-aged person with diabetes and fatty liver who is told repeatedly to “lose weight,” but finds that lifestyle modification alone is difficult to sustain beyond a few weeks. This is where modern obesity care is changing. The goal is not to replace diet and exercise, butto give patients a scientifically guided head start, a bridge that helps them lose meaningful weight, experience early improvement, and then use that momentum to build long-term lifestyle change.
A recent real-world study by doctors at AIG Hospitals, Hyderabad, published in the prestigious journal Endoscopy, adds important Indian data to this evolving field. The study, titled “Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty Versus Oral Semaglutide for Obesity: A Real-World Comparative Cohort Study,” compared two established non-surgical approaches for obesity: Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty, commonly called ESG, and oral semaglutide 14 mg, a tablet used as part of medical weight-loss therapy.
The study was authored by Dr. Nitin Jagtap, Dr. Aman Golchha, Dr. Anudeep Katrevula, Dr. Shujaath Asif, Dr. Hardik Rughwani, Dr. Krithi Krishna Koduri, Dr. Priyanka Balenki, Dr. Rakesh Kalapala and Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy from the Department of Medical Gastroenterology, AIG Hospitals,Hyderabad.
The publication of this work in Endoscopy is significant because it places Indian real-world clinical experience on an international scientific platform. Obesity treatment data from Asian andIndian populations remain relatively limited, and treatment responses, patient preferences, cost considerations and long-term adherence may differ from Western trial populations. For AIG Hospitals, this study reflects not only clinical expertise in advanced therapeutic endoscopy, but also the institution’s growing contribution to evidence-based metabolic and obesity care.
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty is a minimally invasive, advanced endoscopic procedure performed through the mouth, without external cuts. Using an endoscope and a suturing device, the stomach is reshaped from inside by placing full-thickness sutures. This reduces the functional volume of the stomach and helps patients feel full earlier. In simple terms, ESG gives the stomach a sleeve-like shape without removing any part of it surgically. Patient susually progress through a structured diet plan after the procedure, moving from liquids to pureed foods, soft foods and then solids under supervision within a few days.
