Rewatch the BSLM Lifestyle Medicine for Healthy Weight Loss - With or Without GLP-1 Medication

NHSE estimates that 2.8 million patients are eligible for weight-loss drug tirzepatide (Mounjaro) accounting for 18% of GP appointment time in 12 years time when fully rolled out.

AOMs such as the GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and dual GLP-1/GIP agents have emerged as effective treatments for obesity. Whilst there is an urgent need to improve care for people with obesity, particularly to address stigmatising beliefs around the condition, we are concerned that the planned roll-out of AOMs may not be safe, effective or sustainable for the following reasons:

An over-focus on AOMs risks distracting public health efforts to tackle the root causes of obesity, namely poverty1 and a broken food system. This approach could also risk an arms race between pharmaceuticals designed to reduce appetite and the food industry creating food to over-ride natural satiety mechanisms.

Restricting appetite through AOMs without individually tailored wraparound support, risks unintended harms such as worsening malnutrition (including muscle wasting/sarcopenia) for the most vulnerable. People with obesity, particularly those facing food insecurity, already have high rates of vitamin and mineral deficiencies which can be exacerbated by restrictive food intake.

There are significant workload implications for primary care teams particularly with insufficient wraparound support. Primary care is already facing significant pressure from the increase rates of chronic disease, reductions in funding, a shift of care into community and a need to deliver preventive care.

This seminar was originally recorded in 2025 at Royal College of Physicians. It has been accredited for 8 hours CPD.