Will Ozempic and other drugs like it eliminate obesity?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:The amount of people who are normal weight but simply can’t grapple and have such a problem with those of us taking these drugs is astounding.

I don't have a problem with people taking the drugs who need them.

I am concerned with the idea that we should encourage people to eat whatever and however much they want (because there is "no evidence" that telling them to eat healthy and exercise does any good). Then, when they eat their way to obesity, "don't worry, there's a drug for that."

You really think there’s a moral hazard of people becoming obese because they think they will be able to lose the weight? Really?

Absolutely.

Then why don’t people in this thread who think it’s so easy to just use discipline and personal responsibility to lose weight become obese and lose it? After all, Ozempic only works by making you less interested in food, but since you can easily do that with your willpower, what’s stopping you from spending a year obese?

Being obese is unhealthy and many are not willing to take that risk. Drew Manning believes that discipline and personal responsibility does lead to weight loss. To prove it he gained over 60 pounds on purpose and then lost all with diet and exercise. To show it works he did it TWICE.

I have a normal BMI and I've never been obese, but I did gain 15 pounds during covid. I had to make a change in my attitude and eating. Once I did the weight came off.

Agree. Of course telling people to eat heathy and not overeat doesn’t work. They have to actually want to do it and stick to it most of the time. And unfortunately, a lot (most) people that aren’t a heathy weight just don’t really care all that much. At least not at first. Until they get to be obese and then they try to back track and can’t. The chick-fil-A line is literally wrapped around the building. Same with Starbucks and Five Guys. Masses of people waiting in line to eat crap.

Fine. Make it all about a lack of willpower and discipline, I don’t care anymore. For some people the answer is “well then they deserve to be fat” and not “they should try this tool that makes it much easier to lose weight.” One of those answers will actually help on a public health level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The amount of people who are normal weight but simply can’t grapple and have such a problem with those of us taking these drugs is astounding.

I don't have a problem with people taking the drugs who need them.

I am concerned with the idea that we should encourage people to eat whatever and however much they want (because there is "no evidence" that telling them to eat healthy and exercise does any good). Then, when they eat their way to obesity, "don't worry, there's a drug for that."

You really think there’s a moral hazard of people becoming obese because they think they will be able to lose the weight? Really?

NP I really do think this can happen. I think over time healthy eating and sticking to a reasonable amount of calories per day will be replaced with the attitude that there is no need to restrict because you can always get the drugs. It will take time and may impact certain populations, but I can see it happening.

I read a study on how attitude about safe sex changed once there were effective therapies. People were more willing to take risks because there is safe and effective medication.

Young people are having less sex than ever and teen pregnancies are way down so it seems like that’s not really what happened.

The study participants were adult males who have sex with males so no impact on young people or teen pregnancy.

However, I did read an interesting study on the impact of cell phones on teens. That study showed that cell phones have changed socialization and dating. Many teens who are dating are rarely in the same room and that has resulted in less teen pregnancy.

I'm sure there will be plenty of studies on the weight loss drugs and the impact in the future that will give us a concrete answer. For now I stick to my guess that some will rely on the drugs to fix the problem rather than prevent the problem.

[Anonymous]

I don’t have any problems with people taking a long term drug to get healthy. Plenty of people are on long-term statins, thyroid meds, mental health meds, BP meds, etc. why not these drugs? It’s not a moral failing to have thyroid problems or depression is it? Now that we have these drugs, however, is there any excuse for the obese to not take the drugs and give them a try? What if they’re happy at their size 28 and choose not to take the drug?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t have any problems with people taking a long term drug to get healthy. Plenty of people are on long-term statins, thyroid meds, mental health meds, BP meds, etc. why not these drugs? It’s not a moral failing to have thyroid problems or depression is it? Now that we have these drugs, however, is there any excuse for the obese to not take the drugs and give them a try? What if they’re happy at their size 28 and choose not to take the drug?

Then they don’t have to take it, obviously. Not sure what you’re suggesting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t have any problems with people taking a long term drug to get healthy. Plenty of people are on long-term statins, thyroid meds, mental health meds, BP meds, etc. why not these drugs? It’s not a moral failing to have thyroid problems or depression is it? Now that we have these drugs, however, is there any excuse for the obese to not take the drugs and give them a try? What if they’re happy at their size 28 and choose not to take the drug?

Right, but wouldn't it be better if they could either treat, or even prevent, these problems without drugs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t have any problems with people taking a long term drug to get healthy. Plenty of people are on long-term statins, thyroid meds, mental health meds, BP meds, etc. why not these drugs? It’s not a moral failing to have thyroid problems or depression is it? Now that we have these drugs, however, is there any excuse for the obese to not take the drugs and give them a try? What if they’re happy at their size 28 and choose not to take the drug?

Right, but wouldn't it be better if they could either treat, or even prevent, these problems without drugs?

Sure, it would be so awesome. What’s your point, exactly? So far we have been unable to treat obesity permanently without surgery or drugs. Seeing as we’re the fattest we’ve ever been.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The amount of people who are normal weight but simply can’t grapple and have such a problem with those of us taking these drugs is astounding.

I don't have a problem with people taking the drugs who need them.

I am concerned with the idea that we should encourage people to eat whatever and however much they want (because there is "no evidence" that telling them to eat healthy and exercise does any good). Then, when they eat their way to obesity, "don't worry, there's a drug for that."

You really think there’s a moral hazard of people becoming obese because they think they will be able to lose the weight? Really?

Absolutely.

Got it. So you’re just a moron, then.

I don't know why you have to resort to name calling. I think it's human behavior to take the easy way out. If there are people right now who are struggling to hold their weight in check through diet and exercise, who would really like to let loose a little but are scared of becoming obese, the YES, why would they not lift their foot off the gas a little bit if they knew it would be as easy as taking a drug to get that extra weight off? It's human nature.

I'm not talking about people who are naturally thin and healthy, who enjoy eating healthfully and don't want to put unnecessary drugs in their system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t have any problems with people taking a long term drug to get healthy. Plenty of people are on long-term statins, thyroid meds, mental health meds, BP meds, etc. why not these drugs? It’s not a moral failing to have thyroid problems or depression is it? Now that we have these drugs, however, is there any excuse for the obese to not take the drugs and give them a try? What if they’re happy at their size 28 and choose not to take the drug?

Then they don’t have to take it, obviously. Not sure what you’re suggesting.

That there are morbidly obese people who like being that way. Smug about their Instagram worthy lifestyle and not seeing that they even need to lose weight much less get on a drug that gets rid of their appetite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t have any problems with people taking a long term drug to get healthy. Plenty of people are on long-term statins, thyroid meds, mental health meds, BP meds, etc. why not these drugs? It’s not a moral failing to have thyroid problems or depression is it? Now that we have these drugs, however, is there any excuse for the obese to not take the drugs and give them a try? What if they’re happy at their size 28 and choose not to take the drug?

Then they don’t have to take it, obviously. Not sure what you’re suggesting.

That there are morbidly obese people who like being that way. Smug about their Instagram worthy lifestyle and not seeing that they even need to lose weight much less get on a drug that gets rid of their appetite.

They…don’t need to lose weight if they don’t want to. You’re just mad about people being fat on Instagram now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t have any problems with people taking a long term drug to get healthy. Plenty of people are on long-term statins, thyroid meds, mental health meds, BP meds, etc. why not these drugs? It’s not a moral failing to have thyroid problems or depression is it? Now that we have these drugs, however, is there any excuse for the obese to not take the drugs and give them a try? What if they’re happy at their size 28 and choose not to take the drug?

Right, but wouldn't it be better if they could either treat, or even prevent, these problems without drugs?

Sure, it would be so awesome. What’s your point, exactly? So far we have been unable to treat obesity permanently without surgery or drugs. Seeing as we’re the fattest we’ve ever been.

Point is, it's better to do it without drugs. Drugs (and surgery) should be the last resort, not the go-to, especially for kids!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t have any problems with people taking a long term drug to get healthy. Plenty of people are on long-term statins, thyroid meds, mental health meds, BP meds, etc. why not these drugs? It’s not a moral failing to have thyroid problems or depression is it? Now that we have these drugs, however, is there any excuse for the obese to not take the drugs and give them a try? What if they’re happy at their size 28 and choose not to take the drug?

Right, but wouldn't it be better if they could either treat, or even prevent, these problems without drugs?

Sure, it would be so awesome. What’s your point, exactly? So far we have been unable to treat obesity permanently without surgery or drugs. Seeing as we’re the fattest we’ve ever been.

Point is, it's better to do it without drugs. Drugs (and surgery) should be the last resort, not the go-to, especially for kids!

Cool, well, it’s simply not happening without drugs on a population level.

[Anonymous]

Weight Loss for Busy Physicians just had a podcast on this - good things to ponder

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The amount of people who are normal weight but simply can’t grapple and have such a problem with those of us taking these drugs is astounding.

I don't have a problem with people taking the drugs who need them.

I am concerned with the idea that we should encourage people to eat whatever and however much they want[b] (because there is "no evidence" that telling them to eat healthy and exercise does any good). Then, when they eat their way to obesity, "don't worry, there's a drug for that."

Are the people encouraging this in the room right now?

Literally no one is saying this or doing this. You have completely made that up. You know there are benefits to health-seeking behaviors like eating a nutritious varied diet with limited processed foods and exercising even if they don’t lead to permanent weight loss, right?

Yes, but encouraging people to exercise personal accountability by eating healthy foods for their health is seen as "fat shaming" on this board, bizarrely.

It really not. So stop tripping. Everything is a tool. Nobody is saying that folks shouldn't eat healthy foods or exercise even while taking these meds. If you eat badly while taking these meds, they won't work. So stop being ridiculous.

I'm not talking about while taking the meds. I have no experience with the meds and what you can/can't do while taking them. [b]I'm talking about encouraging healthy eating and exercise BEFORE people reach the point of needing the meds.

I'm glad you agree it shouldn't be perceived as fat shaming. I think it is just simple health and common sense. I don't know why it is so controversial here.

You must be 50 years older than me because my entire life I’ve been absolutely bombarded with public health messages about eating and exercise, from school to parents to public health PSAs. I knew how to count calories as a kid and how many calories were in the school lunch items.

I don't know, I'm in my 40s, also grew up with all the public health advice and exercise, *followed the advice*, and I'm still average weight now deep into peri-menopause, so....? What I'm hearing is that we should no longer tell people this advice because it makes them feel bad when it doesn't result in their weight loss, and instead we should just be happy they can now take drugs. Which is great that there are now drugs, but on the other hand, we should not give up encouraging people to take personal responsibility for healthy lifestyle habits. Which yes, also includes other things like sleep, reducing stress, minimizing alcohol, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The amount of people who are normal weight but simply can’t grapple and have such a problem with those of us taking these drugs is astounding.

I don't have a problem with people taking the drugs who need them.

I am concerned with the idea that we should encourage people to eat whatever and however much they want[b] (because there is "no evidence" that telling them to eat healthy and exercise does any good). Then, when they eat their way to obesity, "don't worry, there's a drug for that."

Are the people encouraging this in the room right now?

Literally no one is saying this or doing this. You have completely made that up. You know there are benefits to health-seeking behaviors like eating a nutritious varied diet with limited processed foods and exercising even if they don’t lead to permanent weight loss, right?

Yes, but encouraging people to exercise personal accountability by eating healthy foods for their health is seen as "fat shaming" on this board, bizarrely.

It really not. So stop tripping. Everything is a tool. Nobody is saying that folks shouldn't eat healthy foods or exercise even while taking these meds. If you eat badly while taking these meds, they won't work. So stop being ridiculous.

I'm not talking about while taking the meds. I have no experience with the meds and what you can/can't do while taking them. [b]I'm talking about encouraging healthy eating and exercise BEFORE people reach the point of needing the meds.

I'm glad you agree it shouldn't be perceived as fat shaming. I think it is just simple health and common sense. I don't know why it is so controversial here.

You must be 50 years older than me because my entire life I’ve been absolutely bombarded with public health messages about eating and exercise, from school to parents to public health PSAs. I knew how to count calories as a kid and how many calories were in the school lunch items.

I don't know, I'm in my 40s, also grew up with all the public health advice and exercise, *followed the advice*, and I'm still average weight now deep into peri-menopause, so....? What I'm hearing is that we should no longer tell people this advice because it makes them feel bad when it doesn't result in their weight loss, and instead we should just be happy they can now take drugs. Which is great that there are now drugs, but on the other hand, we should not give up encouraging people to take personal responsibility for healthy lifestyle habits. Which yes, also includes other things like sleep, reducing stress, minimizing alcohol, etc.

You should get your ears checked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t have any problems with people taking a long term drug to get healthy. Plenty of people are on long-term statins, thyroid meds, mental health meds, BP meds, etc. why not these drugs? It’s not a moral failing to have thyroid problems or depression is it? Now that we have these drugs, however, is there any excuse for the obese to not take the drugs and give them a try? What if they’re happy at their size 28 and choose not to take the drug?

Then they don’t have to take it, obviously. Not sure what you’re suggesting.

That there are morbidly obese people who like being that way. Smug about their Instagram worthy lifestyle and not seeing that they even need to lose weight much less get on a drug that gets rid of their appetite.

They…don’t need to lose weight if they don’t want to. You’re just mad about people being fat on Instagram now?

It’s the body positivity they’re trying to market. Like they want people to know how beautiful and fun it is to be super morbidly obese. For the vast majority of people, morality does not come into play and these drugs are the only thing that has made a dent in weight loss goals. I celebrate that. But for a number of people, they glorify their fatness. Wouldn’t change a thing.