Why are many severely overweight people not using GLP-1 treatments?

[Donteatmychips]

Just a pondering when I was on a day out yesterday. I know of course that there is an economic cost to GLP1s, but is there really really any excuse to such widespread obesity these days? I was walking around a seaside town and a National Trust property, and I would say a good half of those around were still large. I understand they are not that easily prescribed on the NHS, but I believe you can shop around and find deals from various online pharmacies. Is it just more that people don’t want to?

For full disclosure, I am on a GLP1 that I acquired elsewhere by walking into a pharmacy and just asking for it. Yes, it cost a lot of money and I know I am lucky to be in a position to have done that. I fought being on one for a long time and it’s not a magic bullet, but it does help and I’m grateful for that.

I know that modern versions of obesity are skewed, but I am talking really about people maybe 250lbs or over now, not just a stone to lose.

Money? They're expensive.

Oh cmon now with the goady post, I’m on them but I’m not so privileged to think everyone has a spare two hundred pounds a month knocking around

Think you answered your own question, money.

Money.

obviously

There are side effects - as with any medicine - and some people cannot tolerate those effects, or have other medical issues/treatments which means they can’t safely use them.

Also they work much better for some people than others - my overweight friend was on them for a year with no noticeable effect.

Obviously because they can’t afford them. Even with a cheap deal they’re too expensive for a lot of people.

Because i've already had pancreatitis and i'm not risking messing with my pancreas again!

Thanks for the judgement though.

Unless contra indicated then I suspect everyone would grab them if they could afford them op. And I suspect you know this. They may give a load of bollocks reasons, but it’s all about cost. Christ when the nhs announced docs would prescribe, most surgeries went into melt down with people calling them to get them,

I dont know as I'm not overweight and get them free due to diabetes, but I'd sell the shirt of my back to pay for them if I didn't as the cessation of the food noise/ devil on my shoulder urging me to eat everything in sight has been one of the best things that ever happened to me.9

Lots of reasons, I would say cost is the main one. Especially when many people talk of needing them for life.
I have a friend who wanted to try but has MH difficulties (obsessive behaviours) and felt the risk of exacerbating these wasn't worth it.
Some people are wary or scared of medications (look how people are with vaccinations) and struggle to be able to look critically at the information & data out there.

Edit- Also fear of side effects.

(I have used them, self financed and they have been life changing. Currently a year off them and maintaining my weight)

the same reason everyone with wrinkles doesn't use botox I guess

Money
fear
attachment to food and not being ready to stop using it as emotional support

Hardly!
Wrinkles are neither debilitating nor life threatening. Obesity is both.

You really can’t be that ignorant can you?

Statistically most people who are “obese” are from a disadvantaged background. £300 pm is a huge expense.

Also it’s pretty shit to assume that they even want to lose weight. They might be very comfortable in their bodies and that’s nobody’s business.

Having wrinkles isn't a health issue, being overweight is

tried them twice. They didn’t work. Not money related as I got them free. I was told they are ineffective for about 20% of people who use them for weight loss.

Risk of side effects, either short term pharmaceutical type ones or longer term health from badly managed rapid weight loss.

Awareness of the need for wider lifestyle and nutritional support to go alongside them and the total lack of it.

Interaction with other medications.

The pretty poor long term outcomes after completing the program (particularly when viewed alongside the risks). It was something like 50% regain the weight two years down the line.

It’s not just money. I could do with losing 3-4 stone and I could afford to buy them if I wanted.

I don’t want, because, despite my weight, I am very healthy and reasonably fit. At 65, I’d rather not mess with my body and risk the side effects.

Did you get them for diabetes? They don't prescribe up to the highest doses for diabetes I've been told. A friend of mine is capped at 7.5mg because her blood sugar is now stable and she's not finding it that effective for weight loss.

Just mind your own business.

How can you type 'Yes, it cost a lot of money and I know I am lucky to be in a position to have done that' and still not understand why people aren't on them?! 🤯

I’m overweight and I have the money to use them if I wanted to but I don’t. Overweight people are not one homogenous group who all think the same, neither are we all poor and unable to afford things. We are - shock horror - normal people with a vast array of thoughts, emotions and abilities just like everyone else.

Thats not true, im on 12.5 for diabetes, they just increase the dose really slowly

I know this isn't the point of the thread but honestly if you're obese then you're not healthy, and 'messing' with your body by stabilising your blood sugar and reducing body fat is only a net positive.

I can’t afford it. Hope that helps and I don’t offend you too much daring to walk around with my overweight body.