Weight loss medication is no silver bullet – but are they worth a shot?

Today, more than two-thirds of Brits aged 35 and over are either overweight or obese. We outweigh most of Europe – placing third on the the list – for adults living with obesity.

Being overweight increases our risk of many health problems, from type 2 diabetes and heart disease to fertility issues and some types of cancers. The leading cause? Unhealthy lifestyles.

Results from Vitality’s Britain’s Healthiest Workplace data shows more than one third of people at work (37%) do not meet recommended physical activity guidelines, while 56% have unhealthy diets.

Consequently, 23% of UK employees are deemed obese – a 51% increase over the course of a decade. 

However, with the emergence of weight loss medication in recent years, we may have found a solution to the UK’s obesity problem. But is it too good to be true?

An estimated 500,000 Britons are already using them, with one product claiming to help people lose up to 22.5% of their bodyweight in the first 16 months.

Some see them as a miracle solution but – as with any medication – they come with risks

‘Their use needs to be fully embedded into a healthy lifestyle that’s sustainable’

Dr Katie Tryon, Chief Commercial Director, Vitality Health

What’s crystal clear, however, is that weight loss jabs are not for everyone. There are potential side effects, and their misuse can be highly dangerous.

Rather than simply a short-cut to slipping into that swimsuit or a fast-track for a wedding-dress fitting, their long-term success requires a responsible and informed decision around the pros and cons for that individual.

Most importantly, they need to be administered safely, with the right support, as part of a healthy lifestyle.

No quick fix

Weight loss jabs work by mimicking natural hormones in the body that regulate appetite and metabolism, helping to reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness.

Much of the focus on weight loss jabs is how quickly they can help people lose weight – particularly as we head towards the summer months.

However, they are no silver bullet when it comes to weight management. Opting for them as a quick fix isn’t going to help the long-term health of those who use them.

Their use needs to be fully embedded into a healthy lifestyle that’s sustainable. A concern for some is ‘can I come off the medications?’.

But increasing evidence shows that unless significant lifestyle changes are made during treatment, it can lead to cycles of yo-yo dieting and hinder any real progress being made.

That’s why we recommend that those considering treatment truly understand how to get the best results from them during the two years they are prescribed for to ensure long-term success.

It’s also always important that coming off weight loss medication is done under clinical guidance.

The medications are not something to be bought unofficially or used without support from a healthcare professional.

Products available on the black market have been found to contain toxic ingredients that can cause nasty side effects, but even prescribed medications can have challenging side effects that need to be managed under professional guidance.

Side effects can include sickness, constipation and diarrhoea, amongst other things.

Due to a suppressed appetite, there is also increased exposure to developing nutritional deficiencies, and if appropriate physical activity is not undertaken there is a risk of muscle loss.

Both should be monitored with professional supervision. This makes a holistic approach to weight loss jabs even more important to ensure long term sustainable weight loss.

Why we are weighing in

Being at the forefront of health improvement and prevention in the UK, Vitality is always laser-focused on championing the latest medical improvements, providing we are confident it is safe to do so.

Over the last two years, with the help of our partner Second Nature, we have seen incredible results on our non-medicated weight loss pathway available to eligible members* through the Vitality Programme.

Around 50% of members achieved their weight loss goals through one-to-one coaching and holistic methods and 43% even reversed type 2 diabetes, our recent report shows.

Due to its success, we have expanded the programme to allow eligible members to get access to clinician-led weight-loss support**.

Looking ahead

With new forms of weight loss medication being developed (including oral solutions, such as pills), we expect them to only become more accessible.

With this, comes greater responsibility to ensure they are controlled and supported by healthcare professionals to ensure their safety.

If done right, however – as part of a sustainable approach to a healthy lifestyle – we believe they can play a valuable role in lowering obesity rates in the UK.

Through this, we can help deliver lasting social benefits by reducing the healthcare burden. And ultimately build towards a healthier, happier nation for future generations to come.

*Available to members with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30-plus or with a BMI of 25 or more and type-2 diabetes.

**Only available to members with a BMI of 35 or above, coupled with a weight-related condition. It also requires engagement in our weight management support programme.