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There is currently a divide between those who are able to afford GLP-1 agonists and those who cannot. This could further contribute to the socioeconomic disparities in health we see today – those who have good insurance or who are able to spend money on treatment could have better health than those who cannot. In high-income countries, low socioeconomic status is associated with higher obesity rates. However, GLP-1 agonist therapies are mostly available to those with high SES, and not to those with low SES who stand to gain more benefit from it. For example, GLP-1 agonists are commonly used by celebrities as a method to lose a few pounds, but their use by morbidly obese individuals would convey greater health benefits to them compared to celebrities.
Obesity treatment with liraglutide or semaglutide is estimated to cost the average American over $16000 per year without insurance. Furthermore, not all insurance will cover the drug for obesity. Insurance companies and Canadian provincial health plans cite high costs, lack of long-term safety data, lack of data on other obesity-related comorbidities, lack of data about long-term benefits, and the sheer number of individuals who would qualify for the drug as reasons for not covering GLP-1 agonists for obesity.
The need for obesity treatment is still recognized by these parties – reducing obesity could be a preventative measure and could save healthcare systems and insurance companies money later on by reducing the amount spent on costly management of obesity-related chronic diseases. However, whether GLP-1 agonists are the right drug for this is still up for debate, especially given the costs and the fact that these drugs must be taken continuously to avoid weight regain.
Furthermore, the side effects of GLP-1 agonist treatment are often brushed aside – nausea and vomiting are the most common, with some patients citing them as a reason for discontinuation. There are also rarer side effects such as inflammation of the pancreas, gallbladder diseases, high heart rate, and kidney problems. The benefits should be carefully weighed against the potential risks, especially the unknown long-term side effects.
In recent years, the idea of body positivity has helped decrease the stigma regarding obesity – with this, people have been able to enjoy better mental health and reduced risks of eating disorders. However, with the arrival of effective anti-obesity drugs and the deluge of people wishing to use them, the medication offers a potential solution to a group of people who have often been stigmatized or misunderstood by our society. There are concerns about how this will affect our perception of body weight – how will our perception of the ideal body image change? Will it change how we perceive people with obesity in the future?
Although the physiological effects of these drugs are being well-documented, we should also examine the effects on our society and how we perceive ourselves. And we should also not forget that obesity is also a result of societal and environmental factors, and that we should strive to address the underlying issues.