New Weight Loss/Obesity Drugs Could Transform Economy

[ElizabethT]

I am a highly, highly disciplined person (literally a 4.0 college grad), and I am extremely slim. However, since leaving childhood, where I pretty much ran around from morning until nightfall, I have had to fight incessant food noise, which only my enormous ability to self discipline allows me to overcome.

So, I absolutely understand how hard it can be for the average Joe or Jane to ignore their noisy brains and refrain from overeating. And if a drug can shut that ceaselessly chatty brain down without causing further harm, I wholeheartedly support it.

Really, it shouldn't be this hard, but for many of us it truly is. As a result I'm always interested in articles that attempt to decipher why our brains so often seem to work against our best interests.

 

[Chuckanut]

India has a severe type 2 diabetes epidemic and accounts for 26% of the world’s diabetes population. China also has a large diabetes population. These populations are more prone than in the US to succumb to diabetes, but generally do so without developing obesity. In fact, obesity may be somewhat protective for those of Western European (plus several other US ethnic groups) descent as it likely delays the onset of type 2 diabetes. These GLP-1 drugs were originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes and it’s still their primary use, so yes they are very relevant in those countries.

There is such a thing as fat on the outside and thin on the inside. Also, a person can be thin on the outside and fat on the inside. . The study of human health is littered with bad science, incomplete science, and misrepresented science.

Then there is the problem that most journalists dont’ understand science they report on:

https://www.southernfriedscience.com/nine-ways-journalists-demonstrate-they-dont-understand-science/

 

[Music Lover]

You sound like my former PCP. He runs several miles every day and goes to the gym 5 days a week. When he's not doing that, he's climbing mountains for fun. He would never consider a GLP for me, because all I need to do is exercise regularly and eat better. It got to where I didn't even want to go see him, since I would be shamed into thinking I was inferior. Yup, I agree! I am inferior to him - at least when it has to do with exercise. I'm never going to run daily, go to the gym or climb mountains. But, I can eat better, with lower calories, and my new doctor strongly suggested I try one of the GLPs to "help" me with my food issues.

I wasn't suggesting that you were inferior.

I just stated a simple fact...people are less active and eat less healthy than they did in the past.

You even admitted that you're aware that you eat poorly in your last sentence. So, you agreed with me.

 

[MarieIG]

India has a severe type 2 diabetes epidemic and accounts for 26% of the world’s diabetes population. China also has a large diabetes population. These populations are more prone than in the US to succumb to diabetes, but generally do so without developing obesity. In fact, obesity may be somewhat protective for those of Western European (plus several other US ethnic groups) descent as it likely delays the onset of type 2 diabetes. These GLP-1 drugs were originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes and it’s still their primary use, so yes they are very relevant in those countries.

I have heard Professor Ben Bikman speak about the obesity problem in Asia (as well as the U.S.) in particular in conjunction with his work in Singapore. He also addresses the difference in the manner of fat storage in certain populations.

 

[PatrickA5]

I wasn't suggesting that you were inferior.

I just stated a simple fact...people are less active and eat less healthy than they did in the past.

You even admitted that you're aware that you eat poorly in your last sentence. So, you agreed with me.

I do agree that your statement is correct.

But, it comes across (whether intentional or not) as basically saying that people that don't exercise or eat appropriately are lazy because they're not willing to do what you do. You've made this same statement multiple times. My question is why do you feel compelled to say this? It's a given, that if you eat the appropriate number of calories (CICO), and exercise, you won't be fat. That's science. I'm saying there's more to it than that (mental). You evidently don't have the problem that some of us have. Good for you!

 

[bigreader]

I recently read "Food Intelligence" which was written by Kevin Hall, a pretty respected researcher who studied the Biggest Loser results, and Julia Belluz, a journalist. I recommend it. The biggest takeaway for me was how we have used myths, bad science and oversimplification to try to explain obesity. For example, calories in-calories out is way too simplistic, since the body has a lot of other ways to conserve body weight. You will not lose a pound for every 3500 calorie deficit. Having a "slow metabolism" does not cause weight gain. In fact, it might aid weight loss. Exercise isn't that important for weight loss, but it seems to help in maintaining the loss. The book is full of these kinds of counterintuitive results.

Seems to me that until now, medicine did not have a good explanation or treatment for obesity (surgery?) and attributed it to gluttony and a lack of discipline. These drugs demonstrate that there is so much more to how the body uses food and how our brain's reward systems work. It was a good read.
BR

 

[Koolau]

I recently read "Food Intelligence" which was written by Kevin Hall, a pretty respected researcher who studied the Biggest Loser results, and Julia Belluz, a journalist. I recommend it. The biggest takeaway for me was how we have used myths, bad science and oversimplification to try to explain obesity. For example, calories in-calories out is way too simplistic, since the body has a lot of other ways to conserve body weight. You will not lose a pound for every 3500 calorie deficit. Having a "slow metabolism" does not cause weight gain. In fact, it might aid weight loss. Exercise isn't that important for weight loss, but it seems to help in maintaining the loss. The book is full of these kinds of counterintuitive results.

Seems to me that until now, medicine did not have a good explanation or treatment for obesity (surgery?) and attributed it to gluttony and a lack of discipline. These drugs demonstrate that there is so much more to how the body uses food and how our brain's reward systems work. It was a good read.
BR

Lots of things point to the endocrine system as being "at fault" for stubborn weight control problems. Insulin management seems to be a major issue.

 

[googily]

Just an update now that I've been on compounded semaglutide shots for 4 months. I'm losing slowly--15 lbs down, averaging to about .8 lbs/week. But I'm still on a fairly small dose (.8 mg). It's been an adventure for my engineer brain to try to figure out how to avoid the worst of the side effects (constipation being the one I have the most trouble with, which can start a cascading number of additional side effects), but overall it's gone fairly well. I now tend to graze during the day, eating smaller amounts rather than "meals," which are more likely to turn into bricks in my stomach.

I've been walking almost daily, and when I get back to the Great Wide Open in a few weeks I will be back on my bike. And I bought a rebounder (aka mini-trampoline), which I am really enjoying. My BP was normal at the doctor's office for the first time in 6 years, and a month ago my lipids were all either normal or juuuuust above normal. (I don't take a statin or anything.)

Just as I was typing this, thinking that it's sort of a bummer that I've lost "only" 15 lbs, I'm realizing that I'm halfway to my original goal of losing 30 lbs to get to a "normal" BMI. And I'm only 10 lbs away from weighing less than I did when I graduated from high school. I'm also down 2 pants sizes.

I could probably lose faster if I at least got myself up to the "therapeutic" dose of 1.0 mg, but that's when the price goes up (ditto if I switched to tirzepatide aka Zepbound), so I'm dragging my feet, lol. But it's nice to still have some options if things stall out.

Anyway, that's where things stand. I'm so glad I decided to give it a shot (so to speak). To not be ruled by food against my will anymore is a gift I never thought I'd receive.

 

[Qs Laptop]

Just an update now that I've been on compounded semaglutide shots for 4 months. I'm losing slowly--15 lbs down, averaging to about .8 lbs/week. But I'm still on a fairly small dose (.8 mg).

That's a nice, safe weight loss rate. Congratulations.

 

[wmackey]

I started on Ozempic at the beginning of February. First at .25 for six weeks, then .5 for six weeks. Starting 1.0 next week. So far, down 14 lbs. and had to get a new belt. DW keeps saying to buy new pants, but I'm holding off. My PCP has already eliminated one BP med all together and cut another in half.

 

[googily]

I started on Ozempic at the beginning of February. First at .25 for six weeks, then .5 for six weeks. Starting 1.0 next week. So far, down 14 lbs. and had to get a new belt. DW keeps saying to buy new pants, but I'm holding off. My PCP has already eliminated one BP med all together and cut another in half.

That's great! Congrats!

 

[EastWest Gal]

I started my weight loss journey back in 2017, with partial success but lots of roadblocks. I hit this in earnest in 2023. From early 2024 to mid 2025 I had a very long plateau, despite continued diet and exercise. I started compounded tirzepatide in late June 2025. I'm now at ideal and goal weight and have been there for a month. I stopped my BP med successfully in January. I'm weaning off the tirzepatide over a 2 month period.

In October I felt a shift in metabolism, with more energy, better workouts, and an increased sense of well-being. I did all the lifestyle changes before tirzepatide, but the food noise and the urge to snack was very real. That seems gone now.

Between 2017 and 2023 I lost 25 lbs. In 2023 I started swimming regularly, which I did for many years since I was 20. I usually swim about 45-55 minutes, 1800-2200 yards. I added resistance training as well. That year I lost another 25 lbs then plateaued. With the tirzepatide, I lost the last 25 lbs. Most of my excess fat was subcutaneous, not visceral fat. Having thinner flexible legs and a flat tummy makes everything physical much more enjoyable. I feel young and energetic in the pool.

The tirzepatide clearly made a difference, as did regular aerobic and resistance exercise, and a relatively low carbohydrate diet. I also stopped all alcohol. To maintain the weight loss, exercise and continuing to monitor eating and weight is very important.

From weight watchers, 35 years ago: "Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels."