*Corresponding Author: Dr. L.L. Bajaj, MD Medicine, Associate Professor, Medicine Department, Government Medical College Gondia, Gondia, Maharashtra, India. Email: Llbajaj1968@gmail.com
Metabolic obesity among normal-BMI adults, commonly called Metabolically Obese Normal Weight (MONW), is a concealed epidemic of critical societal health problem, especially in fast-urbanizing nations such as India. People with normal body mass index (BMI) are often viewed as healthy; nevertheless, an increasing amount of evidence indicates that a significant number of these individuals have metabolic abnormalities including insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, and central adiposity. This paper discusses how metabolic obesity in normal-BMI adults is observed in urban India, with particular focus on the epidemiology of metabolic obesity, the mechanisms and contributors to metabolic obesity, lifestyle-related factors, and health outcomes. South Asians are highly vulnerable to this phenotype due to rapid urbanization, sedentary lifestyles, dietary changes, and genetic predisposition. This review highlights the drawback of using BMI as a single marker of metabolic health and emphasizes the need for early screening with metabolic markers. The identification of this under-diagnosed condition is crucial for successful prevention interventions that will minimize the burden of type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases among urban Indian communities.
Keywords: Metabolically obese normal weight, MONW, normal BMI, insulin resistance, urban India, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular risk.
How to cite this article: Bajaj LL. Metabolic obesity in normal-BMI adults: an under-recognized risk phenotype in urban India. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(3s): 836-841; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.3s.101
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None