New Weight Loss/Obesity Drugs Could Transform Economy

[W2R]

Maybe that's because they maintained a healthy lifestyle?

I'm not trying to be a smart ass, but take a look at beach pictures from the 70's and 80's and compare them to today. Why did it change from very few obese people to what appears to be a majority today?

More processed food and less exercise? It doesn't take much...100 extra calories a day is 10 pounds a year.

For some reason, I am always skeptical (and always get called out for it so I expect that here as well). Why? Well, I remember the days of my youth.... cooking with PLENTY of Crisco (and then add a little more), frying meals frequently, rolls & butter with every dinner meal, desserts always expected as well, ice cream in the freezer at all times for snacks, hors d'oeuvres and cocktails before dinner, I could go on and on. And yet, nobody seemed to gain weight despite the fact that you never saw anybody outside running around the block or doing much of anything active. I remember the first time I saw a jogger; I actually asked my brother what he was running from.

 

[Koolau]

Yeah, hehe, I agree.


Reminds me of how to prepare for a exceptional dinner meal you're planning to have..."go light on breakfast and lunch, and get out, do some exercise to work up an appetite." Oh, wait a minute, that's the formula given by doctors (eat less, exercise more) to overweight patients for the last 40 years that has not worked! And I don't think the difference is the overweight people have less willpower; we've all seen people who "eat whatever they want" and remain trim. It's about genetics and the acquired (but typically very stable) microbiome.

Maybe that's because they maintained a healthy lifestyle?

I'm not trying to be a smart ass, but take a look at beach pictures from the 70's and 80's and compare them to today. Why did it change from very few obese people to what appears to be a majority today?

More processed food and less exercise? It doesn't take much...100 extra calories a day is 10 pounds a year.

My doc mentioned that I might have an issue with carb sensitivity (or something like that.) He didn't have time to expound, but I hope to look that up. On the low carb diet I'm on, I feel very little craving. I can even smell cooking odors and resist or watch DW eat ice cream and resist. When I'm NOT on a low car diet, I eat the whole bag of chips or a second ice-cream treat rather than an ounce of chips or a single "diet" treat. It's frustrating.



So I do think there's something about carbs (maybe a gene for avoiding starvation??) that can trigger over-eating that is (more or less) out of the control of the individual. I'd like to know more about this for the time when (God willing) I go back to eating more carbs. YMMV

 

[Qs Laptop]

For those that think the cost is too high and people won't pay it, the popularity of the drug is surprising even the CEO of Novo Nordisk:

The popularity of Novo Nordisk’s weight-loss drugs has been unprecedented and has shown no signs of fading. It's clearly more than a growth spurt as spending on these drugs is expected to surge to $100 billion by 2035.

While weight-loss drug Wegovy has experienced ballooning demand globally, one thing has surprised the 100-year-old Danish company’s CEO: the willingness among Europeans to pay out of their own pockets to access it.

“The uptake we see has surprised us initially. We wondered, was that only a U.S. phenomenon? We tested it out in Denmark and Norway, we saw more or less the same,” Novo's Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen told the Financial Times.

“It’s perhaps the first time that you see a large population willing to pay out of pocket for medicine.”

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/novo-nordisk-ceo-says-surprised-124003723.html

 

[Music Lover]

I don't think it's surprising that a lot of people would rather take a drug than eat properly and exercise.

 

[RetiredHappy]

I don't think it's surprising that a lot of people would rather take a drug than eat properly and exercise.

There are people who eat properly and exercise who still cannot lose weight.

For me, in order to lose weight I have to get into deprivation mode and unfortunately I have gastrities and (non-functioning) gall bladder issues when I get hungry. It gives me severe upper stomach pain which does not go away unless I take Pepcid for a month and not go hungry again. I am very active and golf 4 to 5 days a week. I am not overweight, BMI of about 22, but if I could lose 10 lbs, some of my health issues would be better. I have been trying to lose 10 lbs for many years. I won't go on drugs to help me lose weight.

So I can sympathise with people who cannot lose weight even though they eat properly and exercise.

 

[Music Lover]

There are people who eat properly and exercise who still cannot lose weight.

For me, in order to lose weight I have to get into deprivation mode and unfortunately I have gastrities and (non-functioning) gall bladder issues when I get hungry. It gives me severe upper stomach pain which does not go away unless I take Pepcid for a month and not go hungry again. I am very active and golf 4 to 5 days a week. I am not overweight, BMI of about 22, but if I could lose 10 lbs, some of my health issues would be better. I have been trying to lose 10 lbs for many years. I won't go on drugs to help me lose weight.

So I can sympathise with people who cannot lose weight even though they eat properly and exercise.

I understand that it's very difficult for some people, but I'm referring to the majority not the small percentage with legitimate health issues.

As I said earlier, look at beach pictures from the 70's and 80's and compare them to today.

 

[Qs Laptop]

I don't think it's surprising that a lot of people would rather take a drug than eat properly and exercise.

Agreed. The factor though, is the high cost. People are willing to pay almost $1,000 a month for this one.

<Looks at thread title again>

If millions of people are shelling out $1,000 a month for a weight loss drug that means they are not spending that $1,000 on something else. Surely that will affect the economy.

 

[brett]

My concern would be the long term effects of those prescription drugs.

Also the long term effects of those grossly overpriced MLM products...... so called weight and cleansing pills, drinks, concoctions, etc. Always a monthly ongoing buy vs a one time purchase.

I have a relative that sells those products. One of her shills was that one product could prevent covid...among other things.

She must have thought that I just got off the turnip truck.

It was more than a little insulting.

 

[ncbill]

Maybe that's because they maintained a healthy lifestyle?

I'm not trying to be a smart ass, but take a look at beach pictures from the 70's and 80's and compare them to today. Why did it change from very few obese people to what appears to be a majority today?

More processed food and less exercise? It doesn't take much...100 extra calories a day is 10 pounds a year.

The people in those pictures didn't have HIV either.

Would you begrudge those with that disease the medication to treat it?

Medication keeps that disease in check which prevents more serious medical problems which would cost everyone's health insurance even more to treat.

Just like what GLP-1 agonists can do for those medically obese.

Sure, we probably want to restrict the use cases to those who meet the above criteria...say BMI 30+.

 

[Music Lover]

The people in those pictures didn't have HIV either.

Would you begrudge those with that disease the medication to treat it?

Medication keeps that disease in check which prevents more serious medical problems which would cost everyone's health insurance even more to treat.

Just like what GLP-1 agonists can do for those medically obese.

Sure, we probably want to restrict the use cases to those who meet the above criteria...say BMI 30+.

What does overeating have to do with HIV?

Look, if someone wants to take a pill because they can't be bothered to eat right and exercise, that's their right. But that doesn't mean that I have to agree with them or support their choice.

Again...I'm not referring to the small percentage of people with a legitimate medical problem, I'm talking about the ones that choose to live an unhealthy lifestyle.

 

[Koogie]

I agree with Brett and MusicLover. I'm wondering if this difference in approach is perhaps because the US seems to have a much higher acceptance of pill taking and pharma solutions in general than other jurisdictions such as where we live.

Weight loss is simple. Not easy mind you, but simple and therein lies the problem.
And yes, it is achievable by the vast majority of overweight and obese people (not the 10% with legitimate medical issues) despite vehement arguments to the contrary.

And yes, I know whereof I speak. I have lost 110 lbs since the beginning of the pandemic. I also lost 80 lbs about 15 years ago in my late thirties and kept it off for about 6 years until a series of personal tragedies led me back down the rabbit hole for a few dark years.

It's doable.

 

[dixonge]

So basically large-scale food production gives us food designed to addict us then big pharma gives us drugs to combat the addiction.

That just seems ... ironic.

 

[aja8888]

So basically large-scale food production gives us food designed to addict us then big pharma gives us drugs to combat the addiction.

That just seems ... ironic.

Yes, capitalism!

 

[audreyh1]

So basically large-scale food production gives us food designed to addict us then big pharma gives us drugs to combat the addiction.

That just seems ... ironic.

Welcome to big business America!

 

[Qs Laptop]

So basically large-scale food production gives us food designed to addict us then big pharma gives us drugs to combat the addiction.

Yes, now do sports betting ads which includes the fine print for gambling treatment centers.

 

[Trooper]

Yes, now do sports betting ads which includes the fine print for gambling treatment centers.

Great analogy! Buyer beware, folks.

 

[Music Lover]

So basically large-scale food production gives us food designed to addict us then big pharma gives us drugs to combat the addiction.

That just seems ... ironic.

I love large scale food production (plus refrigeration) because it has basically eliminated starvation, except in some politically repressed/corrupt countries. It's also made it possible to have fresh fruit and vegetables even in places that are frozen for 6 months of the year.

One of the obvious downsides is that with so much food available some people lack diet control.

 

[badatmath]

Okay thread drift here but I just read this: One meta-analysis comparing interventions based on diet, exercise, and diet plus exercise found that people lost about 23.5 lbs (10.7 kg) on diets, 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) on an exercise regime, and 24.2 lbs (11.0 kg) on diet plus exercise.

Wondering why the hell I am trying to exercise. . . oh wait because I am freaking falling apart lately (seeing at PT on Monday to evaluate what they think is wrong). . .

Still reading this article which is quite long but the consensus so far is they have no idea why some people are fatter than others even with the same inputs. It is kind of interesting if you are a geek honestly - I had no idea Oreos were invented in 1912 which kind of blows my theory of "we have more junk food now".

https://slimemoldtimemold.com/2021/...i-current-theories-of-obesity-are-inadequate/

 

[badatmath]

Okay thread drift here but I just read this:

"One meta-analysis comparing interventions based on diet, exercise, and diet plus exercise found that people lost about 23.5 lbs (10.7 kg) on diets, 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) on an exercise regime, and 24.2 lbs (11.0 kg) on diet plus exercise."

Less than 1 lb difference? Wondering why the hell I am trying to exercise. . . oh wait because I am freaking falling apart lately (seeing at PT on Monday to evaluate what they think is wrong). . .

Still reading this article which is quite long but the consensus so far is they have no idea why some people are fatter than others even with the same inputs. It is kind of interesting if you are a geek honestly - I had no idea Oreos were invented in 1912 which kind of blows my theory of "we have more junk food now".

https://slimemoldtimemold.com/2021/...i-current-theories-of-obesity-are-inadequate/

xxx

Sorry about the xxx it kept telling me my post was too short. I meant to edit the first one not quote it.

Upon finally reaching the end of the article it appears they want to blame environmental contaminants though there is a lot of "IDK". It was interesting anyway. 3 part series with a bonus section on CICO.

 

[GenXguy]

I have gastrities and (non-functioning) gall bladder issues when I get hungry. It gives me severe upper stomach pain which does not go away unless I take Pepcid for a month and not go hungry again.

Sorry to hear that. That sounds terrible and such a long recovery. I have similar pains or discomfort in my stomach (including upper stomach) for hours sometimes in recent months, although I don't know the cause.

 

[Teacher Terry]

Okay thread drift here but I just read this: One meta-analysis comparing interventions based on diet, exercise, and diet plus exercise found that people lost about 23.5 lbs (10.7 kg) on diets, 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) on an exercise regime, and 24.2 lbs (11.0 kg) on diet plus exercise.

Wondering why the hell I am trying to exercise. . . oh wait because I am freaking falling apart lately (seeing at PT on Monday to evaluate what they think is wrong). . .

Still reading this article which is quite long but the consensus so far is they have no idea why some people are fatter than others even with the same inputs. It is kind of interesting if you are a geek honestly - I had no idea Oreos were invented in 1912 which kind of blows my theory of "we have more junk food now".

https://slimemoldtimemold.com/2021/...i-current-theories-of-obesity-are-inadequate/

I started exercising when I was 31 to be healthy and not for weight loss. 38 years later I still do it for that reason.

 

[Music Lover]

Okay thread drift here but I just read this: One meta-analysis comparing interventions based on diet, exercise, and diet plus exercise found that people lost about 23.5 lbs (10.7 kg) on diets, 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) on an exercise regime, and 24.2 lbs (11.0 kg) on diet plus exercise.

Wondering why the hell I am trying to exercise. . . oh wait because I am freaking falling apart lately (seeing at PT on Monday to evaluate what they think is wrong). . .

Still reading this article which is quite long but the consensus so far is they have no idea why some people are fatter than others even with the same inputs. It is kind of interesting if you are a geek honestly - I had no idea Oreos were invented in 1912 which kind of blows my theory of "we have more junk food now".

https://slimemoldtimemold.com/2021/...i-current-theories-of-obesity-are-inadequate/

Although I've probably only eaten a couple Oreos in my entire life I'm pretty sure we have a lot more junk food now, as well as much more easily accessible and better tasting food of all kinds.

Also, every one delivers today, even McDonald's.

The human body hasn't changed in 50 years. The only thing that's changed are food choices and activity level.

 

[GenXguy]

Okay thread drift here but I just read this: One meta-analysis comparing interventions based on diet, exercise, and diet plus exercise found that people lost about 23.5 lbs (10.7 kg) on diets, 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) on an exercise regime, and 24.2 lbs (11.0 kg) on diet plus exercise.

Wondering why the hell I am trying to exercise. . . oh wait because I am freaking falling apart lately (seeing at PT on Monday to evaluate what they think is wrong). . .

I know when I exercise more, I feel like I can get away with eating more. Of course, there are other benefits to exercise. For me, some afternoon cardio exercise for about an hour lowers anxiety for the rest of the day.

 

[USGrant1962]

I love large scale food production (plus refrigeration) because it has basically eliminated starvation, except in some politically repressed/corrupt countries. It's also made it possible to have fresh fruit and vegetables even in places that are frozen for 6 months of the year.

One of the obvious downsides is that with so much food available some people lack diet control.

Yes. Who knew that the biggest result of agricultural advancement would not be low cost food and elimination of starvation, but rather the opportunity for recreational bitching about Big Ag and food addiction! First world problems much?

 

[RetiredHappy]

Sorry to hear that. That sounds terrible and such a long recovery. I have similar pains or discomfort in my stomach (including upper stomach) for hours sometimes in recent months, although I don't know the cause.

I went to a HIDA scan (to check gall bladder function) and learned that it has a infarction rate of 3%, which basically meant that it is not functioning. Fortunately I do not have gallstones. My doctor believes that is the cause of upper stomach pain when I get hungry. My GI doctor also said Pepcid works much better for gallbladder. Every doctor in the past insisted that I take Protonix when I had pain and it did nothing for me. Protonix is for the stomach.