Hailed as the 'holy grail' for those who are classified obese (1), and 'a game changer' for those with type 2 diabetics (1). International trials have concluded that people lost more than a 5th of their weight!
Patients were injected with appetite suppressant Semaglutide, on a weekly basis. The results over a 15-month period, showed an average weight loss of 15.3kgs. Of the 1961 participants, one third lost 20% of their total weight. Some noted nausea as a side effect, but we assume that for the participants this was a small issue when compared to their weight loss.
The Health Survey for England in 2019 estimated that 28% of adults in England were classified obese and a further 36.2% were considered overweight. Disturbingly the same survey showed 9.9% of children aged 4-5 were obese with a further 13.1% deemed overweight, and children aged 10-11 had 21% obesity rates and a staggering 14.1% were overweight (2). This simple pill could therefore be considered an important step forward in the attempt to reduce obesity globally, as well as the conditions and co-morbidities associated with it.
We have to point out of course, that improved food, exercise, and adjusted lifestyle choices, over the same period could easily have resulted in each participant losing a similar amount of weight, perhaps even more!
Our concerns focus on what happens once the weight has been lost. Did the injection program also include lifestyle or diet adjustments? If not, will the weight be just as easily regained?
To lose weight and implement the daily changes required to keep it off long term is not easy, but in the short term if this method is able to reduce illness and co-morbidities associated with obesity, it can only be a good thing. Future research continues.
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