Emerging economies such as India, where one in 6 people are undernourished, is experiencing an unprecedented rise in weight loss surgery. Economic growth of approximately 7% per annum is leading to a rise in affluence and obesity as a side effect.
Weight loss operations are expected to reach 10,000 this year with a potential 2 million suitable candidates. Globally the USA remains the country with the highest number of weight loss procedures being performed at 220,000 operations in 2009.
The weight-loss operations are gaining popularity as evidence of their efficacy in helping to fight diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other obesity-linked conditions.