Ozempic Shifts Perception Of Obesity From Being About Willpower To Biology: WSJ

Ozempic and similar drugs are reshaping the global perception of obesity from a question of willpower to a matter of biology.

According to the Wall Street Journal, these new diabetes and weight-loss drugs demonstrate how a person’s weight is significantly influenced by their brain chemistry. The brain, acting as the body’s primary chemist, controls appetite and determines the amount of fat it needs, thereby establishing a “set point” or “defended fat mass.”

Drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro operate by lowering this set point, effectively reducing hunger and increasing the feeling of satiety, say obesity researchers. This new set point lasts as long as the patient continues the medication, leading to less hunger and quicker satiety.

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“This is not about willpower or personal choice,” said Dr. Florencia Halperin, chief medical officer of Form, a virtual medical weight-loss clinic. “This is about your brain driving behaviors.”

These drugs are emerging at a time when obesity is on the rise, despite billions being spent annually on weight loss efforts. Nearly 42% of U.S. adults are obese, according to recent government statistics. Obesity is also linked to a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, contributing to over $170 billion in yearly treatment costs.

These medications are revolutionizing long-held beliefs about weight and health, with specialists stating, “It's not their fault,” referring to patients’ struggles with weight, the Journal reported.

Despite the promising results, the medications’ effect on the set point is only maintained for as long as the patient continues the drug, pointing to the need for consistent, lifelong treatment.

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