Weight loss injections for children

[transformer]

NC and hard hat in situ.

I've listened to counting the threads I've seen on weight loss injections and what a miracle they are for those who are overweight or obese. There have been lots of posters questioning if the NHS will roll out the drugs to everyone who needs them and it hit me thinking about obese children. Will this possible roll out include kids? Should kids be on weight loss injections? Will we see whole families on these drugs? Will healthy eating and lifestyle and psychological support be provided for these families? Where would the funding come from? So many questions about these so called miracle drugs.

Posters often say that these drugs will ease the burden on the NHS in the long term but at the moment they are only available to those who meet the strict criteria or lie to obtain them. Weight loss clinics have long waiting lists and it's next to impossible to get these drugs on the NHS unless you are diabetic because these drugs were developed for diabetes.

Should the focus be on preventing long term problems in overweight and obese kids to avoid the burden on the NHS when they become obese adults with type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancers etc?

Are people too focused on these miracle drugs as an easier cure for weight problems?

It's a complex issue and I don't have the answers. There are too many factors at play for a simple solution as far as I can see. The whole obeseogenic environment argument, fractured families, long working hours, both parents working, kids not playing out and being on computer games for hours instead of being outside, snack culture, fast food culture, ultra processed foods, poverty etc. I agree these don't help but we do have agency to make good choices for ourselves and our kids.
It's complex but ultimately are weight loss injections going to solve the obesity crisis for adults and kids alike?

I'd add that those living remotely don't have the same choices but is there any data to support that those who live remotely are more likely to be obese or overweight? Places like Shetland or remote villages for example.

But it’s not really about each individual being able to make choices. It’s about what the majority do when they aren’t thinking about it given the options available.

I can be really motivated and eat really healthily and lose some weight but this does take thought and effort. However if I am tired or stressed or feeling like I am already quite slim so no need to make the extra effort then I will do what is easy and tempting. Loads of people are busy, tired and stressed and UPFs are cheaply and easily available so at a societal level we are gaining weight.

In the 1950s everyone bought fresh food, and dry ingredients and there were no ready meals to put in the microwave. There must have been sweets I guess but just not in the quantities that we have now.

Living remotely means I have no just eat deliveries (or similar). No ‘local’ takeaways deliver to us at all.

All food has to be planned, and cooked by us. Occasionally we will drive to get a takeaway, but it’s faff and only bother once every couple of months or so.

Having to plan in advance means no spur of the moment high fat/ highly processed shit.

Our diets are not perfect, and could really be improved. But a lot less temptation then living somewhere else.

I’d suggest most people living in locations like ours are similar?

But in another note, we have to drive everywhere - although dog walks help!

I live very similarly to you - no takeaway deliveries at all. Some nights when I just can't be bothered I find myself wishing that Deliveroo or Just Eat or one of those services came out here - but I have to cook myself something instead. I actually find the Just Eat adverts on TV every five minutes a little bit unsettling - they make it sound as though you have to eat every time you're a wee bit peckish, and a pizza or curry is just a phone call away, instead of 'you're a bit hungry? Have an apple, it's only an hour until lunch' which is what I grew up with.

People are learning to fear hunger as though it was hypothermia. The slightest twinge sends them to the snack cupboard or, as I said, calling Just Eat. I think we need to learn not to be afraid of the discomfort of being a bit peckish.

I have an abundance of take aways within ten minutes walk and I know they all deliver but I don't think of getting one except on the odd occasion. It just doesn't occur to me as an option but then they are expensive so that might be why rather than a conscious decision to eat a healthier home cooked meal.

Well quite clearly large numbers of people are unable to make the "right choices".

The problem in a nutshell is the very existence of the "choice", coupled with the more sedentary modern lifestyle.

And I think there have been studies - can't name them, sorry - about some people's bodies and brains just being far less interested in food gratification, so it's not like they are all strong and moral and able to resist temptation. I'm one of these - I'm just not very interested in food or taste. Eating is frequently a hassle.

🙈🙈 That's a terrible idea. Children as Guinea pigs?