Ozempic Can ’ t Fix America ’ s Obesity Crisis

What is obesity? Some people will tell you it’s a fancy word for being fat; others might say it’s a slur that pathologizes bigger bodies. And yet others will insist it’s a moral failing—one of laziness and poor willpower. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] For the past decade, however, the medical community has recognized that obesity is a chronic disease, much like cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Obesity triples the risk of hospitalization due to COVID-19, is linked with hundreds of medical complications, and accounts for 4 million preventable deaths every year. Obesity is also heterogeneous, with manifold different causes, clinical presentations, and responses to treatment. The astronomical rise of GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro has glossed over such nuance, with bold promises that medication is the “holy grail,” “silver bullet,” and “miracle” to the obesity problem, a one-size-fits-all solution. If only it were that simple. The truth is that Ozempic can’t solve the obesity crisis in America. Although medication can help some individuals lose weight, obesity is not a simple disease of inactivity or overeating. A myriad of factors, including genetics, mental health, socioeconomic status, and environmental influences, contribute to the development and progression of this disease. As such, how patients present inside the clinic varies widely, from a mutation i...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized freelance Source Type: news