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.

They're too expensive for many people. It's that simple.
I've been on mj for 18 months, I have budgeted in and can afford it (not easily but I can). My sister and niece would very much like to be on it but they can't afford it. Both could really benefit as very overweight.
Unless they are rolled out more widely on the NHS, then we will remain divided between those who can afford to be healthy and those who can't. It's a national scandal in my opinion.

Mate they are like £250 a month to be on long term, even after you've shopped around. A LOT of people can't afford that.

You answered the question in your first sentence:

Cost.

Not really that complicated a question.

As everyone else said money normally also side effects. I am not over weight although 10 pounds heavier than I like to be. However due to significant long term gall bladder issues using these weight loss jags would not be an option for me even if I was severely overweight.

While OP is clearly failing to understand the scope of the money issue, some of you are giving very high estimates. There aren't going to be a lot of people paying £400 a month.

I currently titrate and maintain with a 5 pen that I get about 6-7 weeks out of, and the cost of that including shopping savings is less than £25 per week.

Well you said yourself ‘I fought being on one for a long time’!!! Why?!
So it was okay for you to take a while to use them but not others? Maybe the people you see are doing the same? Or are taking them and were previously more overweight! You’re very judgmental!

In my case, my late husband was offered them years ago (Ozempic, probably when it first came out) to help with his diabetes. He lost about 4 stones (too much I’d say) and the side effects were awful.

Username is rather telling too.

Maybe they are and they are only part way through their loss? Or maybe they have a health condition that means they cannot take it (I have type 1 diabetes and it’s not approved)? Or maybe they could not tolerate the side effects? Or maybe they are part of the 10-15% who do not respond to weight loss injections? It’s not that hard to understand why there are still overweight people in the world if you think about it.

Money, I get it. But the upfront cost could also be seen as a reflection of a lower food bill as a result. So maybe they even out

Don't be silly.

Will pancreatic transplants increase due to damage caused by long term wlj considering there aren't enough transplants avaiable now for everyone who needs one?🤔

Plenty of obese people will reached that point because of a history of ED, specifically bulimia. Me included. Providers rightly won't prescribe WLI to anyone who may be triggered into relapsing once or if they come off the drug. It's responsible prescribing.

Obesity is a risk factor for developing pancreatitis in itself, so a reduction in the numbers of obese people before they get it would need to be factored in.

I don't know what you were all eating before GLP-1, that means you can cut £200 plus from your food shopping bill and still buy food, but when I was obese, my staple diet was 12-inch cheese garlic bread (£1), value chicken nuggets (£1). Iceland's own-brand sausage rolls (£1 for 2) and large bags of toffee nibbles (£1).

I was spending around £3-4 a day on food.

Being fat can be very cheap.

I still eat quite cheaply now, but it costs me slightly more. My staples now are bags of frozen veg (£2 a bag), frozen chicken strips (£1.80 per portion), porridge (£4 for 8), bananas (£1) and yoghurts (4 for £3).

I don't spend £200 a month on food, let alone have space to cut £200 a month from my food bill.

What a horrible goady post.

Money (especially during a COL crisis)
Side effects or can't take due to other health issues, physical or mental
Interactions with other medications
Don't want to

Saving money on food is a ridiculous argument, do you think fat people all live alone and don't have a household to feed? Perhaps it's hard for you to imagine all these awful fat people having partners and children. 🙄

Just wear bloody blinkers if you don't want to see them.

Well I am 3 stone overweight, so not 'severely overweight' but if I was, I would never use them, as I don't believe in pumping chemicals and crap into my body to try and lose weight. 🙄

That any help @Donteatmychips ?

Ridiculous thread.

100% this. ^

I think there are many reasons why some people do not address being considerably overweight.
For some its mental health issues, some money ,some feel the risk v benefits equation(for GLP 1s) in their personal circumstances doesn't work for them.

Donteatmychips ☝️

Money
Medical conditions
Side effects
Risk of unknown long term side effects

Do people use the patches that my phone is always telling me you can buy from Boots half price. Do they work?

Fatso here who probably could afford them but I don't want too.

After watching how much a family member has aged through taking them that has also put me off. But she will be alive and I will be dead soon I guess.

They need to ban fatties from NT properties going forward, in fact I might not leave the house at all and just sit and eat.

Exactly.

It is so simplistic to assume that one wonder drug will suit everyone, so why doesn't every one just take it and magically solve a problem.
People and their medical conditions are more complex than that.

The implication of the OP is that some people are too lazy or don't want to spend the money. Surely its obvious that its not one drug fits all and life is more complicated than that.

I've seen those ads. pop up. I don't think they are from Boots at all.

This post reminds me of when my friend’s (incredibly wealthy) ex asked why people take economy flights and why anybody wanted to be uncomfortable on a plane.

Massively out of touch.