Labour should invest in weight loss medications immediately

[HowToSaveTheNHS]

AIBU to think the Labour government should seriously consider rolling out weight loss drugs to the obese population, to tackle obesity, diabetes and cut NHS waiting lists? Traditional public health measures to tackle obesity are not working.

We spend so much money treating disease associated with obesity and it’s only going to get worse as increasing numbers of people are living for decades with multiple health conditions associated with obesity. Even dementia’s leading cause is Type 2 diabetes.

Looking at the Mounjaro thread on here, huge numbers of Mumsnetters are successfully losing weight and improving their health. But people on lower incomes won’t have access because the drugs are expensive.

A course of drugs for a year will surely be money well spent if we can reduce heart disease/ diabetes/ dementia/ cancer etc… even hypertension.

God, if you keep yourself healthy, watch your weight, work hard and feed your own kids yourself, you’re really fucked under this government, if some have their way.

'@BeretRaspberry
Oh look, the latest fat bashing thread.'

It really is not 'fat bashing' to point out that for many people the solution to losing weight is better diet and exercise and less alcohol.

It is just basic facts...

This is also the advice you would receive from a GP or dietitian.

Fo some of course it will be more complex where there are psychological issues or the weight is a side effect from a health condition/medication.

But for many it really is down to lifestyle and only the individual can decide to take steps to improve that.

Yup!

It is not difficult to stay a healthy weight contrary to this thread.

Absolutely not !!! It is not the tax payers responsibility to fund weight loss drugs nor is it the Government’s!

People just have no accountability these days, if you want to loose weight and can’t do it through diet and exercise then you should pay for weight loss drugs yourself.

I'm in a Mounjaro Facebook group and lot's of people there are nurses.

Yes completely agree- we need to trial, collect evidence and evaluate. Keeping moral judgement out of it and look at the evidence. We will all be better off if we can reduce the amount we spend managing ill health caused by obesity

Why does ‘everyone’ have to pay for a problem that ‘we will all’ be better off under, when it’s caused by a very select few?

Imagine not being embarrassed that other people have to fund your inability to not stuff things in your gob

It really is difficult if you have full blown obesity. Just be thankful you’ve not experienced it. Speak to a gastric surgeon and they’ll help you understand how difficult/ borderline impossible it is to override your body’s desire to eat once you’re struggling with full blown obesity. I don’t think those of us who have never experienced it will truly understand. It is NOT the same as losing a bit of excess weight.

Because you are paying to treat them for heart disease, diabetes, dementia….

I’m not surprised. Shift work is linked with obesity

I don't know how I'd eat enough to make myself that size in the first place.

It was a choice to do it.

I don't want tax payers money spent on this and nor do most people.

Again, why are people not embarrassed about this?

This is the issue with the NHS; free at the point of use means people have no incentive to have self-accountability

@HowToSaveTheNHS I'm sure it is difficult but it's not impossible. Giving up smoking is hard, conquering phobias is hard. Lots of things in life are very hard. Will power and education would be better than drugs surely.

I'd rather put a tax on fatty processed food and use the proceeds to directly subsidise fruit and veg.

A punnet of strawberries costs about 2.50, tub of ice cream 1.99. If you are buying dessert for a family of 4, and on a budget, what's going to go further...

It is not just a very select few, though is it? If it was then there would not be all this discussion about it.

Embarrassed when having a heart attack ? Are you serious?!

Yes, embarrassed if your heart attack is caused by your obesity.

Not sure why you think this is shocking.

There is not enough supply. Not even everyone willing and able to pay privately can currently get access to the weight loss drugs. The manufacturers can’t keep up with demand.

the government could put in an order for millions of doses, but it would be meaningless.

Wow. I really hope you don’t work in healthcare. Those of us that do, clearly have more compassion than you. It doesn’t matter if someone has injured themselves on purpose- no questions asked you are treated and cared for with dignity in this country. Thank goodness.

All the usual comments. So many wanting to blame and punish, thinking people are lazy, stupid and disgusting. A lot of othering.
Fat people pay taxes too.
For many people who are very heavy overeating is actually not just a choice it a a problem they cannot conquer. Nobody chooses to be very overweight with all the shame that is given to it. It is entirely possible to want something very much but to have complex reasons which stop you achieving what you want.
Many people make what some are describing as lifestyle choices which can then cause illness or injury necessitating nhs care. People who drive too fast. People who take part in sports especially high risk sports. People who go exploring. People who have unsafe sex. People who have very high numbers of babies. People who sunbathe or use sunbeds. People who have cheap cosmetic surgery. People who don’t follow advice to manage their chronic health condition. Where does judgement end? And why is there sympathy for anorexia and bulimia but not for those who cannot control their eating to a degree their weight seriously impacts their health? I don’t mean just those who are a little overweight but people whose entire life is being ruined by their inability to manage their eating. Why is that worse than under eating?
Fat is always the favourite whipping boy.
As science gains more information on the causes of serious over eating and severe weight gain more help will hopefully become available but much of society is very angry that those they see as disgusting get any help at all.

So what is the point of ALL the threads saying the same thing over and over and over again?

Are there still supply issues? I knew that there was last year but thought that had ended now.

And supply will catch up eventually anyway. they are selling a product that the world wants lots more of. they will do everything they can to supply this.

It IS difficult to maintain weight loss contrary to this thread. Evolution and science says so.

They treat you with dignity to your face…

if a massively obese person has a heart attack, it’s clear what the issue is