Weight-Loss Drugs to the Rescue?

Author

Bubba
25 Sep

Are weight-loss drugs the answer to America’s obesity problem, which new research shows is just getting worse? (AP)

The latest: The rate of severe obesity increased from nearly 8% in 2013-2014 to about 10% in the most recent CDC survey.

  • Compared to men, women are almost twice as likely to be severely obese.

  • Approximately 40% of Americans were obese as of a 2021-2023 survey.

  • Obesity rates vary by education level: 32% of college graduates reported obesity, compared to 45% among those without degrees.

Related: About 15 million Americans, or 6% of adults, are currently prescribed GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, according to KFF.

  • JP Morgan Research predicts the market for weight-loss treatments could reach $100 billion by 2030, serving 30 million Americans.

  • Between 2022 and 2024, women's clothing purchases in smaller sizes (XXS, XS, and S) increased by 12%, while larger sizes (L, XL, XXL) declined by 11%.

  • Users of weight-loss drugs purchased about 8% less food between 2022 and 2023, according to JP Morgan Research.

The controversy: Lars Jørgensen, the CEO of Ozempic and Wegovy producer Novo Nordisk, was on the hot seat this week as senators questioned why the U.S. pays much higher prices for weight-loss drugs than other countries.

  • Americans shell out $969 for Ozempic and $1,349 for Wegovy per month for drugs that cost just $59 and $137 in Germany, respectively.

  • Jørgensen cited research and development costs and U.S. healthcare complexities but didn't directly address the price gap.

Bubba’s Two Cents

I think health and nutrition are going to take center stage in the very near future, and I don’t think I’m alone in thinking this based on some conversations I’ve had with friends and smart people. Whatever the case, I think it’s clear that the food industry has not been optimizing for quality or health, and there’s already a bit of a movement rising up in reaction (see RFK Jr.’s big emphasis on health). The farming and food industries and their regulator, the FDA, have led us down the current path, but I’m wondering if (or when) mass consumers decide we need a radical change.

P.S.: Of course, pharma has developed a trendy, synthetic solution to weight loss. The jury’s still out on whether there will be any long-term side effects.