Obesity experts discuss AI, apps to track diet at conference in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad: Specialists treating obesity, and patients, are increasingly using technology, including artificial intelligence, to track diet, link it with physical activity, and share daily reports with physicians, experts said at the Obesity & Metabolic Surgery Society of India (OSSI) Conference (OSSICON) 2026 held in the city on Thursday."Figures indicate that a state like Gujarat has a prevalence of obesity of about 18% of the population. While bariatric surgery is recommended for those with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or above with other health conditions, today there are multiple non-surgical interventions available, with experts aided by technology," Khaitan said.
Dr Manish Khaitan, a bariatric surgeon from the city and the conference president, said the meeting focused on a holistic approach to obesity management."Figures indicate that a state like Gujarat has a prevalence of obesity of about 18% of the population. While bariatric surgery is recommended for those with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or above with other health conditions, today there are multiple non-surgical interventions available, with experts aided by technology," said Dr Khaitan.According to the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), about 30% of people aged 30-49 years are overweight or obese, defined as having a BMI of 25 or more.Experts at the conference discussed complex cases, new interventions, and advances, including remote robotic bariatric surgery and indigenously developed AI-based tools to monitor diet and health parameters.