We live in a world that demands instant gratification; in line with this, there is now a weight loss jab set to hit UK Pharmacy shelves this year. The jab, Wegovy, works by suppressing appetite by mimicking the hormone GLP-1, making the patient feel fuller and less hungry, causing them to eat less. While this drug will be regulated so that only those who are clinically overweight or obsessed can be prescribed it, I find a serious issue in the weight-loss culture and lifestyle it promotes.
The jab does not help an individual increase their nutrient intake, exercise more or make other healthy lifestyle changes. It offers a quick fix, cheat-the-system solution that promotes an extreme approach to weight loss, one that can very easily slip into disordered eating. Simply by putting the drug on the market, doctors and pharmacists are promoting the message that the best way to lose weight is to suddenly eat less. Not only is this extremely harmful from a physical and psychological perspective, but it is likely to be ineffective in the long run. As soon as the patient stops taking these jabs, hunger levels will return to normal, without getting to the root cause of the obesity or previous weight gain.
Not only does this jab not focus on creating healthy, sustainable, long-term results, but it is also highly dangerous for those suffering from eating disorders and promotes an unhealthy, extreme relationship with food. This is of particular concern, given that UK hospital admissions for eating disorders have risen by over 84 per cent in the last few years and over 10 per cent of the population will be affected by either anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder (BED) at some point throughout their life. Although the drug is only available for those who are overweight or obese, 1 out of 2 people who suffer from bulimia nervosa and BED are obese, meaning those with eating disorders will have access to this drug.
The media has portrayed a stereotype that to be struggling with an eating disorder you need to be extremely thin, when in actuality this is often not the case. Given the drug’s extreme approach to weight loss, I also feel the drug could lead to its patients developing dangerous and toxic relationships with food, if they haven’t already. Users will make the immediate connection between eating less, appetite suppression and losing weight, potentially causing users to continue to restrict their intake of food once stopping the jabs regardless of the fact that their hunger symbols have returned to normal.
The jab simply sends the message that if you want to be thinner, eat as little as you can. Hunger is the enemy, and you need to wage a war against your body. Extremes are never the answer. Especially an injection that ‘cheats’ the brain and digestive system and completely disregards the patient’s long-term physical and mental health. Simply slow but steady will win the race.
Image “(229/365) Daily injection” by Sarah G… is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
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The slippery slope of a ‘quick fix’
We live in a world that demands instant gratification; in line with this, there is now a weight loss jab set to hit UK Pharmacy shelves this year. The jab, Wegovy, works by suppressing appetite by mimicking the hormone GLP-1, making the patient feel fuller and less hungry, causing them to eat less. While this drug will be regulated so that only those who are clinically overweight or obsessed can be prescribed it, I find a serious issue in the weight-loss culture and lifestyle it promotes.
The jab does not help an individual increase their nutrient intake, exercise more or make other healthy lifestyle changes. It offers a quick fix, cheat-the-system solution that promotes an extreme approach to weight loss, one that can very easily slip into disordered eating. Simply by putting the drug on the market, doctors and pharmacists are promoting the message that the best way to lose weight is to suddenly eat less. Not only is this extremely harmful from a physical and psychological perspective, but it is likely to be ineffective in the long run. As soon as the patient stops taking these jabs, hunger levels will return to normal, without getting to the root cause of the obesity or previous weight gain.
Not only does this jab not focus on creating healthy, sustainable, long-term results, but it is also highly dangerous for those suffering from eating disorders and promotes an unhealthy, extreme relationship with food. This is of particular concern, given that UK hospital admissions for eating disorders have risen by over 84 per cent in the last few years and over 10 per cent of the population will be affected by either anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder (BED) at some point throughout their life. Although the drug is only available for those who are overweight or obese, 1 out of 2 people who suffer from bulimia nervosa and BED are obese, meaning those with eating disorders will have access to this drug.
The media has portrayed a stereotype that to be struggling with an eating disorder you need to be extremely thin, when in actuality this is often not the case. Given the drug’s extreme approach to weight loss, I also feel the drug could lead to its patients developing dangerous and toxic relationships with food, if they haven’t already. Users will make the immediate connection between eating less, appetite suppression and losing weight, potentially causing users to continue to restrict their intake of food once stopping the jabs regardless of the fact that their hunger symbols have returned to normal.
The jab simply sends the message that if you want to be thinner, eat as little as you can. Hunger is the enemy, and you need to wage a war against your body. Extremes are never the answer. Especially an injection that ‘cheats’ the brain and digestive system and completely disregards the patient’s long-term physical and mental health. Simply slow but steady will win the race.
Image “(229/365) Daily injection” by Sarah G… is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
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