𝘗𝘊𝘙𝘔 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴 87% 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘩𝘦𝘯𝘯𝘢𝘪 𝘢𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘵-𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘶𝘨𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘴

• PCRM study demonstrates strong appetite for evidence-based, non-pharmaceutical approaches to weight management among Chennai adults

Chennai, July 8, 2025: A new survey conducted by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) reveals a strong openness among Chennai residents toward using plant-based nutrition as a strategy for weight loss. Among adults surveyed in four Indian cities - Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru - Chennai recorded the highest preference for dietary approaches over injectable weight-loss drugs, with 87% of respondents indicating they would choose a plant-based method if it were supported by scientific evidence.

Dr. Zeeshan Ali, Research Program Specialist at PCRM

These survey responses closely align with findings from peer-reviewed studies, which have linked plant-based diets to lower body mass index and reduced risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease - of which Chennai population has a high predisposition. The survey findings are notable given that 86% of Chennai residents surveyed currently consume meat, a rate higher than the 71% reported in the national survey.

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"The data suggests that people's interest in plant-based diets isn't defined by their current food habits. They're open to eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes - especially when they understand the health benefits. This presents an opportunity to build on this interest with education grounded in science," said Dr. Zeeshan Ali, research program specialist at PCRM.

The survey results are especially relevant in light of public health data from Tamil Nadu, which shows the state has one of the highest obesity rates in the country. A recent study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute for Cancer Prevention and Research also found that all adults in about 40% of households in the state were obese. The same study found that obesity often clusters within families, highlighting the relevance of household-level dietary interventions.

Such patterns reinforce the potential of family-wide dietary shifts - like plant-based nutrition - to improve household health outcomes.

Another finding was that Chennai residents report one of the highest levels of weight-loss attempts among the cities surveyed. While 93% of respondents said they had tried to lose weight in the past, only 19% reported maintaining weight loss over time. This suggests a need for more sustainable and accessible strategies for long-term health management.

Chennai residents also expressed high levels of concern about pharmaceutical interventions. Eighty-one percent said they believe media coverage of injectable weight-loss medications like Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) tends to overstate benefits, and 92% agreed that more public education is needed around non-drug-based approaches to weight management.

These findings suggest a strong foundation for public health initiatives that prioritize accessible, nutrition-first strategies for Chennai's long-term health.

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