The excitement and popularity surrounding the new weight loss drugs continue, and for good reason. Successful weight loss has been well documented, including by Oprah who promotes the drugs which are considered blockbuster solutions for those attempting to lose weight. While there are reasons for the enthusiasm and optimism, questions and concerns remain.
We encountered personal cases of the concerns. Two colleagues who we know took one of the medications last year. While both lost weight, one had significant side effects. The other lost her insurance coverage for the medication and could no longer afford the high cost, which was already a significant amount for the co-pay. You probably can guess the outcomes, which are no different than any other weight lost through dieting – both gained back all the weight lost plus more.
While these are cases familiar to us, they are not isolated cases. There are many such cases documented in the literature, and many unknowns regarding risks and efficacy that the medical community is grappling with. We are often asked our thoughts on taking these blockbuster medications. Their reasons and stories for wanting to are familiar: they say they ‘just need a jump start’ and ‘will keep the weight off this time’. We listen, and send information, but it is very personal for each, and they only hear about the successful weight loss through the extensive marketing promotions, not how difficult it is to maintain the loss.
We get it! But honestly, when Dimensions offered and promoted weight loss programs in the past, regardless of the program most if not all gained back the weight. Many would say that the next time will be different, and that they will keep the weight off next time. Or, that they are trying a juice cleanse, (_____fill in the blank: fasting, zero/low carb…) to jump start their weight loss.
We heard it all and unfortunately witnessed the results. Not that they didn’t lose weight, but the inevitable weight gain followed, with the mental and physical health consequences when it happens. Sadly, we got good at predicting outcomes. When someone said they were ‘starting a diet’, the result was accurately predictable: the certain weight gain. However, the outcomes were more sustainable when someone said that they were changing habits to feel better, and/or adopt a healthier lifestyle.
Besides concern regarding sustainability, there are several other considerations and many issues regarding the weight loss medications including,
- Affordability
- Insurance coverage
- Availability
- Equitability
Plus, questions remain:
- How long can the medications be safely taken?
- Do individuals have to take the medicines for life?
- How to keep individuals from gaining back the weight?
- Can the medication be safely stopped or tapered to prevent weight gain?
- AND more importantly, can the medication be safely taken for life since right now it seems to be the only option to keep weight off?
The bottom line is that there is no magic bullet. Wellness and HR professionals need to consider the issues when negotiating insurance benefits and planning wellness initiatives. It is good to at least consider more sustainable options and provide employees with choices. Weight loss can be easy (and sometimes quick) but is very rarely sustainable. And it is well known that yo-yo dieting – losing and regaining weight – has many more risk factors than maintaining extra weight and trying not to gain more.
In December 2023 we posted a blog on considerations for 2024 initiatives. Based on wellness experts, one consideration was to ban all diet weight loss programs. Diets fail people and cause individuals to feel like failures leading to stress, discouragement, and even depression. In fact, experts signed an ethical commitment to include a waiver informing individuals of the lack of successful outcomes and potential risks when participating in any weight loss program.
The blockbuster weight loss medications have given promise and hope to many. We are hopeful that there will be solutions to the concerns and questions. That said, research has consistently demonstrated that dieting does not lead to sustainable weight loss. Instead, consider options that foster a healthy relationship with food, enhance well-being, and nourish the mind, spirit, and body.
Dimensions offers, Cultivating Inner and Outer Nutritional Wisdom, as a ‘dieting’ alternative. It is a program centered on mindful self-awareness, inner wisdom, and nutritional guidelines. Weight loss is a complex issue and needs different strategies to cater to individual needs. Cultivating Inner and Outer Nutritional Wisdom is not promoted as a magic bullet, but as a program to help individuals end yo-yo dieting and provide a healthy alternative to ‘dieting’ and focus on weight loss.
Please contact us if you would like more information
Image by Ivana Tomášková from Pixabay