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The rise of the trend of GLP-1 and the pressure it brings?

697 replies

PiriPiriMenopause · 18/12/2025 09:07

First of all I just want to say I have nothing against the choice people make for the injections at all, I think they’re great and they obviously work for people who need them! I totally get why someone would want to take it, and it really is transforming lives.

But I worry about the pressure this is bringing so the it. I’m a size 14 and pretty normal. At the moment I don’t have trouble buying clothes or getting stuff to fit. My BMI is about 26 which yes is higher than the recommended but not massively so.

So many people I know are on this drug! Honestly, in my normal every day life, I know of at least 15 people who are taking it. It’s working brilliantly and the results are fantastic they’re happy and it’s great, I love seeing how their confidence has turned on a sixpence. Some of the women were larger than me some were not that much larger than me or the same size.

I’m not sure if my experience is a reflection of what’s going on country wide or not. But AIBU to worry about the knock on effect this will have moving forward. I worry that a size 14 will soon become almost obsolete in the shops because people are no longer requiring larger sizes, I worry about the knock on pressure this will bring to those of us who can’t afford to take it or simply don’t want to or can’t take it. I worry about it becoming a culture for people of my daughter’s age and what it means for their confidence in future.

I’m just interested to see if I’m just being paranoid or if this is something other people worry about. There’s always been a massive pressure on women in particular with their size and appearance but this is the first time I’ve ever really felt it so extreme!

OP posts:
NikkiPotnick · 22/12/2025 07:16

SilenceInside · 21/12/2025 23:02

These medications have gone through the process that all new medications go through. There have been the necessary clinical trials, for weight loss alone as well as for T2 diabetes. I genuinely don’t understand why people seem to think that this process is not sufficient for GLP-1s but don’t seem concerned about other recent medications. Their use for weight loss is not an uncontrolled trial any more than any other newish medication.

Yes, especially as none of them ever seem to explain why, nor make any attempt to balance it against the already known risks of obesity.

LavenderBlue19 · 22/12/2025 07:10

seafoamhair · 22/12/2025 02:34

Be that as it may, what the effects might be on babies is as yet unknown.

Pregnant women are not prescribed them. Of course there will be some who fall pregnant while taking them and don't realise for a while, and there will be some who are idiots and continue taking regardless. They will act as research data. There might be a problem, there might not. That's not a reason to stop people taking the medication though, is it.

Daisywhatsyouranswer · 22/12/2025 07:10

seafoamhair · 21/12/2025 22:52

The data is from those who use them for type 2 diabetes (which is how they realised they induce weightloss), and it is not "40 years of data" for that (any more than your weird made up figures of the decades they were discovered and worked on (not the 1920s and 1950s, as you've stated!).

They have only a handful of years of data for these drugs being used for weightloss, at the weightloss dose. Effectively, everyone on them now is part of a worldwide uncontrolled trial.

And nobody, including the manufacturers, know what longer term usage looks like, or what longterm ramifications on or future problems with health might be; and nobody, including the manufacturers who have admitted this, know what the effects will be on babies who were born to women on these drugs and hence 'on them' in the womb, etc.

Honestly i read mad posts like this, and raise an eyebrow, where someone comes on with very little knowledge and thinks they are very knowledgeable

fhey have 15 years of trial data for the drug before it was approved for diabetes, this covered thousands of people, there were multiple trials, the surmount and surpass trials, yes surmount was for people with diabetes, both from overweight to healthy weight and the impact on the body much of that was then able to be used for the surpass trials, for weight loss and then much of that was then used for the surpass covt trials, now completed, for cardio vascular health, along side the long term usage since initial approval.

you appear to think that the data gleaned in initial trials has absolutely no bearing on future trials, and no data can be extrapolated, this is wildly incorrect. They have data from when this was initially developed, through to animal testing, to life time usage.

The world, and there is over 50 million currently on them, is no more in a trial than any other prescription medication, that has been approved by all the global health authorities.

Neurodiversitydoctor · 22/12/2025 05:48

seafoamhair · 22/12/2025 02:34

Be that as it may, what the effects might be on babies is as yet unknown.

Are they being perscri ed for pregnant women ?

sabababa · 22/12/2025 02:47

seafoamhair · 22/12/2025 02:34

Be that as it may, what the effects might be on babies is as yet unknown.

Are they even licenced for pregnancy? I have no idea.

But you can't ignore the known negative impacts of obesity and diabetes on mothers and babies. This is a real issue.

seafoamhair · 22/12/2025 02:34

sabababa · 22/12/2025 02:15

I can give you a whole ton of data on the impact of obesity and gestational diabetes/T2 diabetes on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes - and it's not pretty.

Be that as it may, what the effects might be on babies is as yet unknown.

sabababa · 22/12/2025 02:15

seafoamhair · 21/12/2025 22:52

The data is from those who use them for type 2 diabetes (which is how they realised they induce weightloss), and it is not "40 years of data" for that (any more than your weird made up figures of the decades they were discovered and worked on (not the 1920s and 1950s, as you've stated!).

They have only a handful of years of data for these drugs being used for weightloss, at the weightloss dose. Effectively, everyone on them now is part of a worldwide uncontrolled trial.

And nobody, including the manufacturers, know what longer term usage looks like, or what longterm ramifications on or future problems with health might be; and nobody, including the manufacturers who have admitted this, know what the effects will be on babies who were born to women on these drugs and hence 'on them' in the womb, etc.

I can give you a whole ton of data on the impact of obesity and gestational diabetes/T2 diabetes on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes - and it's not pretty.

sabababa · 22/12/2025 02:11

That's right!! We KNOW the benefits of reducing obesity on health and blood sugar as well. Even for people only a bit overweight, all the evidence points to the GLP-1 meds having a net benefit. Plus they are turning to have, on the whole, more positive unintended benefits as more data becomes available both in terms of numbers using the meds and the length of time being used.

ANY weight loss will reduce muscle mass. While the benefit of losing body fat is generally still a net positive, it's definitely a problem due to the rapid weight loss that can happen with the GLP-1 meds. But it's something which can be managed through higher protein diet and resistance training (something older women especially shuold be doing anyyway).

KeepYaHeadUp · 21/12/2025 23:16

Newsenmum · 21/12/2025 22:33

Bloody hell we dont know because we are waiting for the longterm research like any drug. It contains a blackbox warning for potential cancer risk. It is known to reduce muscle mass as well as fat. This is all extremely common knowledge which is why medical professionals have things in place to make sure that not just anyone can take it - the benefits have to outweigh potential risks.

You know what definitely is linked to many types of cancer? Obesity. As well as high blood pressure and stroke, heart disease, liver disease, arthritis.

KeepYaHeadUp · 21/12/2025 23:10

MightyFlow · 18/12/2025 09:16

Size 14 isn't a "large" size. People taking injections for actual obesity aren't going to get down to a size 10, let alone maintain that size long term. Might be different for non-obese people who don't have much weight to lose, but again not all of them are going to maintain a very slim figure.

So no, I don't think size 14 clothes will become rare.

Erm, I was clinically obese and wearing 14/16 in January and am now a size 8/10. I will probably stay on a very low dose forever because the drug has has numerous positive effects on me beyond weight loss. But it is perfectly possible

SilenceInside · 21/12/2025 23:02

These medications have gone through the process that all new medications go through. There have been the necessary clinical trials, for weight loss alone as well as for T2 diabetes. I genuinely don’t understand why people seem to think that this process is not sufficient for GLP-1s but don’t seem concerned about other recent medications. Their use for weight loss is not an uncontrolled trial any more than any other newish medication.

Newsenmum · 21/12/2025 22:55

seafoamhair · 21/12/2025 22:52

The data is from those who use them for type 2 diabetes (which is how they realised they induce weightloss), and it is not "40 years of data" for that (any more than your weird made up figures of the decades they were discovered and worked on (not the 1920s and 1950s, as you've stated!).

They have only a handful of years of data for these drugs being used for weightloss, at the weightloss dose. Effectively, everyone on them now is part of a worldwide uncontrolled trial.

And nobody, including the manufacturers, know what longer term usage looks like, or what longterm ramifications on or future problems with health might be; and nobody, including the manufacturers who have admitted this, know what the effects will be on babies who were born to women on these drugs and hence 'on them' in the womb, etc.

An actual discussion isnt allowed sadly.

seafoamhair · 21/12/2025 22:52

Daisywhatsyouranswer · 21/12/2025 22:35

Who is we? They have close to 40 years of data on these drugs being used. I’m waiting for nothing, again speak for yourself.

The data is from those who use them for type 2 diabetes (which is how they realised they induce weightloss), and it is not "40 years of data" for that (any more than your weird made up figures of the decades they were discovered and worked on (not the 1920s and 1950s, as you've stated!).

They have only a handful of years of data for these drugs being used for weightloss, at the weightloss dose. Effectively, everyone on them now is part of a worldwide uncontrolled trial.

And nobody, including the manufacturers, know what longer term usage looks like, or what longterm ramifications on or future problems with health might be; and nobody, including the manufacturers who have admitted this, know what the effects will be on babies who were born to women on these drugs and hence 'on them' in the womb, etc.

Newsenmum · 21/12/2025 22:51

SwingTheMonkey · 21/12/2025 22:48

There are several posts on this thread alone where people have known someone who didn’t eat well on the jabs and didn’t do any exercise - therefore that’s the case for everyone. It’s so condescending. And the response is always ‘you’re too sensitive’ or ‘you’re triggered’ because that’s a great way of shutting people down who dare to say anything.

Im sorry other people do that but I haven’t. So stop attacking me. Saying that everyone does something is a stereotype. All I’ve done is wish people well and add my experience (it’s a chat forum). Ill stick to my lovely friends and family who have proper conversations.

SwingTheMonkey · 21/12/2025 22:48

Newsenmum · 21/12/2025 22:30

I don’t know anyone has saud that. You are clearly extremely sensitive about it.

There are several posts on this thread alone where people have known someone who didn’t eat well on the jabs and didn’t do any exercise - therefore that’s the case for everyone. It’s so condescending. And the response is always ‘you’re too sensitive’ or ‘you’re triggered’ because that’s a great way of shutting people down who dare to say anything.

Newsenmum · 21/12/2025 22:37

Daisywhatsyouranswer · 21/12/2025 22:35

Who is we? They have close to 40 years of data on these drugs being used. I’m waiting for nothing, again speak for yourself.

Good for you.

Newsenmum · 21/12/2025 22:36

Daisywhatsyouranswer · 21/12/2025 22:34

It was a clear insinuation you were making, I’m sorry your husband is foolish with his health and continued to be unhealthy,but he’s in the minority and the man has bigger issues.

Youre seriously unkind. He’s not foolish. We have an extremely stressful homelife. How do you know that he’s in the minority? Have you seen the majority of the population? People have a lot of issues with food.

Is your whole argument that everyone should be on the jabs? Are you trying to argue I should be on the jabs? Im breastfeeding so Im not allowed.

Daisywhatsyouranswer · 21/12/2025 22:35

Newsenmum · 21/12/2025 22:33

Bloody hell we dont know because we are waiting for the longterm research like any drug. It contains a blackbox warning for potential cancer risk. It is known to reduce muscle mass as well as fat. This is all extremely common knowledge which is why medical professionals have things in place to make sure that not just anyone can take it - the benefits have to outweigh potential risks.

Who is we? They have close to 40 years of data on these drugs being used. I’m waiting for nothing, again speak for yourself.

Newsenmum · 21/12/2025 22:34

Daisywhatsyouranswer · 21/12/2025 22:32

When I look at the threads on here, I see the vast majority of people eating clean and healthy diets. I do also see a lot of people not eating sufficient protein to protect muscle and not doing strength training, again to protect muscle, but that’s a different topic to making dietary changes.

i agree with you and other posters pushing back, i see a lot of these negative posters making the assumption that people go on th4 drugs and don’t change their eating habits, that either we just starve ourselves or the fat melts off or something, and it’s nonsense. Sure a tiny majority do not do it right, no doubt about it, but the vast majority don’t. These drugs are a huge investment into our health, they are the last resort for all obese people as we all tried everything else first, be it keto or slimming world and all regained as it wasn’t sustainable.m on the drugs you chose healthy meals, understand calories or healthy portion sizes and how much your body needs.

it’s the drugs that give us the ability and time to put what we know into practice, we don’t need the likes of slimming world with its 97 percent failure rate.

That’s brilliant. I hope most people do this. There will be people who dont, like there are for lots of diets.

Daisywhatsyouranswer · 21/12/2025 22:34

Newsenmum · 21/12/2025 22:30

I don’t know anyone has saud that. You are clearly extremely sensitive about it.

It was a clear insinuation you were making, I’m sorry your husband is foolish with his health and continued to be unhealthy,but he’s in the minority and the man has bigger issues.

Newsenmum · 21/12/2025 22:33

Motnight · 21/12/2025 19:34

@Newsenmum it would be great if you could sign post to the research around the health impacts of taking the drugs long term.

Bloody hell we dont know because we are waiting for the longterm research like any drug. It contains a blackbox warning for potential cancer risk. It is known to reduce muscle mass as well as fat. This is all extremely common knowledge which is why medical professionals have things in place to make sure that not just anyone can take it - the benefits have to outweigh potential risks.

Daisywhatsyouranswer · 21/12/2025 22:32

NoKidsSendDogs · 21/12/2025 21:06

Exactly. Eating less food helps you lose fat but you will also lose muscle and won't tone up. If people don't workout and eat well while on the jabs, they certainly won't when off and the weight will just come back. Who would waste the time, effort and money for that? People on the jabs know this, despite what they may say to qualify.

When I look at the threads on here, I see the vast majority of people eating clean and healthy diets. I do also see a lot of people not eating sufficient protein to protect muscle and not doing strength training, again to protect muscle, but that’s a different topic to making dietary changes.

i agree with you and other posters pushing back, i see a lot of these negative posters making the assumption that people go on th4 drugs and don’t change their eating habits, that either we just starve ourselves or the fat melts off or something, and it’s nonsense. Sure a tiny majority do not do it right, no doubt about it, but the vast majority don’t. These drugs are a huge investment into our health, they are the last resort for all obese people as we all tried everything else first, be it keto or slimming world and all regained as it wasn’t sustainable.m on the drugs you chose healthy meals, understand calories or healthy portion sizes and how much your body needs.

it’s the drugs that give us the ability and time to put what we know into practice, we don’t need the likes of slimming world with its 97 percent failure rate.

Newsenmum · 21/12/2025 22:30

SwingTheMonkey · 21/12/2025 22:28

It’s just so irritating that so many people claim to know someone who is on the injection who hasn’t changed their diet and doesn’t exercise, so therefore, apparently, nobody who uses the injection exercises or has changed their diet.

I don’t know anyone has saud that. You are clearly extremely sensitive about it.

Newsenmum · 21/12/2025 22:30

SwingTheMonkey · 21/12/2025 20:59

But you have to make changes to your diet when you’re on WLI - it’s not a magic fat melting potion. Why do you think people won’t have made any changes to their diet on WLI? I was on mounjaro for roughly 18 months and ate clean, healthy meals - I still do now I’m maintaining. So yeah, it’s offensive that people who have no personal experience with using WLI think they know anything about those using them.

Im not talking about everyone! Im saying that it is possible to take the injection and not be healthy. I know because my husband bloody did it! Obviously youve done the right thing. Well done you. Ten stars.

SwingTheMonkey · 21/12/2025 22:28

NoKidsSendDogs · 21/12/2025 21:06

Exactly. Eating less food helps you lose fat but you will also lose muscle and won't tone up. If people don't workout and eat well while on the jabs, they certainly won't when off and the weight will just come back. Who would waste the time, effort and money for that? People on the jabs know this, despite what they may say to qualify.

It’s just so irritating that so many people claim to know someone who is on the injection who hasn’t changed their diet and doesn’t exercise, so therefore, apparently, nobody who uses the injection exercises or has changed their diet.