Should you take a GLP-1 Agonist?
GLP-1 Agonists (such as Ozempic) are the best-selling drugs of this year. Since their approval for weight loss, prescriptions have skyrocketed, but these drugs have been in use for diabetes treatment for almost 20 years. Many people who struggle to manage their weight have either started using one of these medications or are seriously considering it.
The decision to use a medication to encourage weight loss should be made between you and your doctor, but here are some thoughts to consider.
If you start this medication, you may need to take it long-term.
As with most weight-loss treatments, people would like a solution that can be achieved quickly and maintained long-term. Although GLP-1 medications can help induce weight loss, the risk for regaining the weight if you stop taking the medication is high. This is true for a few reasons. Most people who take these medications lose the same amount of weight from fat and from muscle. Having less muscle lowers metabolism which means you burn fewer calories than you did prior to weight loss. Another reason is that GLP-1 agonists vastly reduce appetite. Once the medications are discontinued, appetite can be high while metabolism is low which sets the stage for regaining the weight or gaining above the starting point.
This medication may make it harder to change lifestyle habits.
For some people, the loss of weight with GLP-1 medications helps them feel more comfortable exercising and leads to overall lifestyle improvements. For others, the use of a medication does not motivate them to improve their overall lifestyle (eating, exercising, stress-management, sleep). These medications suppress appetite so heavily that individuals struggle to consume adequate protein and vitamins that are essential to long-term health.
Final Considerations
I think it is important to take into account the shame that is experienced by people who live in larger bodies. As a culture, we do not respect those who live in larger bodies. We view them as lazy and they are often paid less at work than their thinner co-workers. Losing weight is much more complex than the typical advice of “eat less and move more.” People who have larger bodies are more likely to have significant trauma in their pasts, live in areas with limited access to wholesome food, and struggle with poverty. These are just a few of the contributing factors to weight.
Our society places a significant value on thinness and this belief can lead individuals feel it is imperative that they lose weight and when the cycle of yo-yo dieting has not led to sustained weight loss, using a GLP-1 agonist may be the best option. As yo-yo dieting can significantly worsen overall health, using a medication may be the healthier choice.
