What you need to know before taking weight-loss drugs

But given the negative health outcomes for those living with obesity, the side effects pale in comparison, both Sattar and Cummings say. This is particularly the case for individuals with multiple weight-related conditions. Heart disease, cancer and stroke are the leading causes of death worldwide – and all are linked to obesity.

A changing landscape

What is clear is that the landscape for weight-loss medication is rapidly evolving.

There are other health benefits too beyond weight loss. In one major study involving two million people, the drugs were linked to better heart health, fewer infections, lower risk of drug abuse and lower incidences of dementia. It’s also been shown to improve sleep apnoea, arthritis and substance abuse. 

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A new drug called retatrutide has also shown promise in recent trials. It mimics three hunger-regulating hormones, and early evidence indicates weight loss of nearly 29%, after 68 weeks according to manufacturer Eli Lilly. 

The drugs are but one tool for obesity care, Daley says. More important is the need to make it easier for people to make healthier changes that last beyond medication. And because of the abundance of people eating calorie-dense ultra-processed foods, obesity will continue to be a growing health concern, experts warn.

Our ultimate goal, Daley adds, should be to change the food environment to offer better choices and influence government policy so that the next generation won’t need these drugs at all.

* Melissa Hogenboom is a senior health correspondent at the BBC and author of Breadwinners (2025) and The Motherhood Complex.

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