The Half Promise of Weight-Loss Drugs
Groundbreaking weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have understandably generated a lot of excitement, bringing hope to the hundreds of millions of people grappling with obesity. When combined with a healthier diet and exercise, these drugs, which work by suppressing appetite, deliver an average 10% reduction in body weight that can be sustained for years.
A Health Crisis of Epidemic Proportions
With more than two-thirds of adults in the UK and nearly three-quarters in the US classified as overweight or obese – a health crisis that costs national economies billions of dollars annually – physicians and policymakers could be forgiven for embracing these drugs as a panacea.
A Techno-Fix to a Complex Problem
To be clear, I am not suggesting these drugs are unnecessary or that medical professionals should avoid prescribing them. But they do not address the problem fuelling the global obesity crisis: our broken food system.
The Broken Food System
The alarming rise in obesity over the past 30 years is not simply a byproduct of higher living standards or more sedentary lifestyles, though these factors play a pivotal role. The primary factor appears to be the transformation of our food environment, which has fundamentally altered both the types of food we consume and our eating habits.
The Rise of High-Fat, Sugar, and Salt (HFSS) Foods
In recent years, scientists and health experts have increasingly focussed on the HFSS foods driving unhealthy dietary habits. This trend can be attributed to companies reshaping the food system to produce ultra-processed, hyper-palatable, and highly profitable foods.
The Impact of Meat Consumption
Beyond the heightened risk of heart disease and related health conditions, excessive meat consumption has had devastating effects on the climate and biodiversity. Research shows that animal-based foods generate twice the greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions of plant-based alternatives.
Towards a Healthier and Sustainable Food System
Admittedly, it is unrealistic to expect consumers – conditioned by food environments designed for profit rather than human or environmental health – to drive this transition on their own. Governments and food manufacturers must take proactive measures to reshape these environments.
Reducing Consumption of HFSS and Meat Products
Governments and food manufacturers must expand initiatives aimed at reducing the consumption of HFSS foods to include meat, thereby encouraging people to eat more plant-based whole foods and meat alternatives.
Fostering Sustainable Food Choices
Requiring food companies to report on the types of food they sell, including HFSS foods and the ratio of plant-based to animal proteins, would also help. These measures would incentivise businesses to prioritise healthier, more sustainable options over less nutritious ones.
Conclusion
Defusing the time bombs of ill health and environmental catastrophe requires fast, decisive action to remake our dysfunctional food system. While weight-loss drugs may offer a short-term solution for individuals living with obesity, the long-term goal must be a fundamental shift towards a healthier, more sustainable food system.
FAQs
Q: Can weight-loss drugs be an effective solution for individuals living with obesity?
A: Yes, weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy can help individuals living with obesity achieve a sustainable weight loss, but they must be combined with a healthier diet and exercise routine.
Q: What are the primary drivers of the global obesity crisis?
A: The primary drivers are the transformation of our food environment, which has led to an increase in HFSS foods, and the excessive consumption of animal-based foods.
Q: What can be done to remake our dysfunctional food system?
A: Governments and food manufacturers must take proactive measures to reshape our food environments, including expanding initiatives aimed at reducing the consumption of HFSS and meat products, and promoting sustainable food choices.
Emily Armistead is interim executive director of Madre Brava.