Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, April 10

In Kashmir’s cities and towns, conversations about diet and exercise are increasingly giving way to talk of a drug once known mainly to diabetes patients. 

Online searches for Ozempic have climbed sharply in recent months, reflecting a growing preoccupation with weight loss in a region where obesity and diabetes are on the rise.

Data from Google Trends show that between December 2025 and March 2026, Jammu and Kashmir registered a relatively high level of interest in Ozempic compared with many Indian states. 

While not at the top of the national rankings, the region’s search activity signals a widening curiosity about medical solutions to weight management.

The surge comes amid a steady increase in obesity rates documented over the past two decades.

Findings from the National Family Health Survey 5 indicate a sharp rise in overweight and obesity levels, particularly among men, with significant gains also recorded among women, including growing rates of abdominal obesity.

Health experts say the trend is tied to changing lifestyles – more sedentary routines, longer screen time and a shift toward processed and high-calorie diets – that are reshaping public health in both urban and rural areas.

At the same time, diabetes prevalence remains a concern. 

Estimates suggest that nearly one in five adults in parts of the Jammu region are living with diabetes, while rates in Kashmir hover in the low double digits. 

Of particular concern to doctors is the emergence of pre-diabetes among adolescents, signalling risks at increasingly younger ages.

Against this backdrop, Ozempic – a brand name for the drug semaglutide – has drawn global attention for its weight-loss effects, beyond its primary use in managing Type 2 diabetes. 

The expiration of the drug’s patent in India earlier this year has further fueled interest, raising expectations of more affordable versions entering the market.

For many in J&K, the spike in online searches appears to mirror a broader national shift toward pharmaceutical interventions as traditional lifestyle changes struggle to keep pace with rising metabolic disorders.

However, doctors caution that the drug is not a quick fix. 

Ozempic is available only on prescription and requires careful medical supervision. 

It can cause side effects ranging from nausea and digestive issues to more serious complications in some cases, and may not be suitable for everyone.

Health professionals emphasise that while medications may play a role, long-term solutions will still depend on sustained changes in diet, physical activity and overall lifestyle – a balance that remains difficult to achieve as the region confronts a growing public health challenge.