FOLLOW US

In the United States, almost half of the population is obese. Some officials maintain that sedentary lifestyles and increased consumptions of unhealthy foods are the driving factors behind this epidemic.

Nevertheless, being above a healthy weight puts any person at major risk. Obese individuals remain more likely to face complications like heart disease, liver problems, kidney disease, and even cancer.

Thankfully, everyone has options when it comes to regulating their weight or going down a few pounds. Eating nutritious meals, getting physical exercise on a frequent basis, and even regularly getting a good night's sleep all come highly recommended.

Over the past several years, various drugs have been introduced to help people on their weight loss journeys. However, new data suggests that most of the American public isn't too confident in these pharmaceuticals.

Here's what the numbers say on weight loss drugs

According to the Pew Research Center, people aren't necessarily buying the mainstream narratives about Wegovy, Ozempic, and other pharmaceuticals designed to help them cut back on their weight.

In fact, Americans are more likely to see these drugs as advantageous in tackling health problems stemming from weight gain than they are to believe they'll help with weight loss itself.

Almost seven in ten Americans believe the aforementioned pharmaceuticals won't really make a dent in tackling the national obesity crisis. Only 35% of people hold the opposing view and feel that medicines like Wegovy and Ozempic can have an impact on lowering obesity rates.

Findings from the Pew Research Center furthermore show that 65% don't think individual willpower is enough for losing and regulating weight.

Understandable hesitance from the public?

Like all pharmaceuticals, weight loss drugs come with various risk factors and potential side effects.

In the case of Wegovy, people who consume it may face problems such as nausea, fatigue, constipation, and even abdominal pain. Folks who ingest Ozempic also run the risk of the same side effects; although in severe cases, they could come down with vision changes, gastroparesis, and pancreatitis.

All things considered, the evidence seems to suggest most people aren't ready to take an injection merely for the sake of losing weight.