Obesity is a problem money cannot fix, believes Bill Gates, who advocates undertaking certain behavioural modifications along with the use of weight loss drugs to tackle this condition. In a recent conversation with podcaster Raj Shamani, the American businessman spoke about the importance of GLP-1 drugs that mimic a natural hormone in the body to regulate blood sugar and appetite, along with lifestyle changes necessary to keep the obesity pandemic in check.
“The most promising is a class of drugs called these GLP-1 drugs that are going to go off patent to become cheap. I’m always a little ‘over-focused’ on a scientific solution. So, maybe a combination of that behaviour change and the new tools. But behaviour change is hard; we haven’t succeeded in that as much as we’d like to,” said the philanthropist.
According to Dr Rohini Patil, MBBS and nutritionist, founder of Nutracy Lifestyle, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, also known as GLP-1 drugs, are a class of drugs initially developed for treating type 2 diabetes and have become a popular method for weight loss in patients.
The expert told indianexpress.com that GLP-1 is a natural hormone in our body that plays a role in digestion and appetite control. The drug is known as a GLP-1 agonist because it mimics the GLP-1 hormone, which helps reduce hunger as it slows the emptying of the stomach, helping people to feel fuller for a longer period and eating less, resulting in significant weight loss.
When Shamani asked, ‘What’s one problem money cannot fix?’ Gates replied, “You know there’s a lot of talk about obesity, and you know, when I saw the Prime Minister (PM Narendra Modi), he was talking about various yoga-type things that people should adopt. But it’s been hard. You know, not many countries have gotten the behaviour change.”
He also mentioned that behaviour changes are difficult and require a lot of effort and external support in making sustainable lifestyle changes.
But certain lifestyle changes can make losing weight easier, believes personal trainer Deepika Sharma, who shared 5 things that can act as a stepping stone in this complicated journey:
1. Build tiny, daily rituals—movement that fits your life, not your gym shoes. Consistency beats intensity. Squat while brushing your teeth if that’s what sticks.
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2. Stop counting calories – Start feeding your body what it actually needs. Your gut isn’t a garbage bin—fiber, protein, and timing matter more than apps.
3. Surround yourself with people who mirror your healthiest self. Willpower is overrated—proximity is power.
4. Eat with your non-dominant hand: Dr Ridhima Khamsera, Clinical Dietician, said that research suggests that eating with your non-dominant hand slows you down, reducing mindless overeating by up to 30%. Since it takes about 20 minutes for your brain to register fullness, slowing your pace helps prevent unnecessary calorie intake.
5. Sleep in a cooler room: Sleeping in a slightly cold room (around 66°F or 19°C) activates brown fat, a type of fat that burns calories to generate heat. Studies show that cooler sleep environments can boost metabolism and improve insulin sensitivity—both crucial for weight management.
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6. Chew more, choose less: Most people chew their food only 10-12 times before swallowing, but increasing this to 20-30 chews per bite has been linked to better digestion, reduced hunger hormones, and lower calorie consumption.
Dr. Pratayksha Bhardwaj, Dietician and Weight Management Expert, added that inadequate sleeping patterns start interfering with cardiovascular-hormonal status. “Ghirlin, the hunger hormone, goes up, while the satiety hormone goes down. Hence, cravings and overeating become common,” she added. However, good sleep allows the body to repair for the next 7 to 8 hours, a great benefit for metabolism and appetite regulation for sustainable weight management.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
