Srinagar, Aug. 25 -- Obesity is no longer a matter of personal choice or willpower; it is a chronic disease that demands recognition, treatment and long-term care. The new medical consensus in India marks a turning point, urging society to move away from blame and towards evidence-based solutions. The shift is vital for Kashmir, where the health sector already grapples with conflict, limited infrastructure and rising non-communicable diseases. Valley cannot afford to ignore a condition that silently fuels diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular illness at younger ages than elsewhere.

The challenge in Kashmir is layered as poverty restricts access to healthy food, recreational spaces are scarce, and psychological stress from prolonged i...