New slimming jabs fail to tackle causes of obesity, experts warn

The promise of breakthrough drugs to help people lose weight must not be used as excuse to avoid tackling the root causes of obesity, experts have warned, as concerns grow over a scramble for the slimming jabs.

According to recent figures, the proportion of adults in England who are obese rose from 14.9% to 28% between 1993 and 2019, while NHS England data reveals that in 2019-20 there were 10,780 hospital admissions directly attributable to obesity.

With many finding keeping weight off through diet and exercise challenging, excitement is growing around diabetes drugs that have been found to help people lose large amounts of weight by mimicking hormones that help people feel full after consuming food.

One study involving the drug tirzepatide, alongside lifestyle changes, revealed participants had lost as much as 20% of their body weight in a 72-week trial.

But experts say that while the dramatic impact of such drugs is welcome, there are concerns it could detract from taking action to prevent obesity in the first place.

“Unhealthy food is the biggest cause of death and disability in the whole world,” said Graham MacGregor, a professor of cardiovascular medicine at the Wolfson Institute of Population Health in London.