An Appetite For Weight Loss?

The drug Semaglutide is used to treat type 2 diabetes. It produces significant weight loss (weight is a risk factor for diabetes) by suppressing appetite. Some folk (with or without diabetes), are keen to lose weight. So, from Spring 2023, English pharmacies will stock Semaglutide, under its trade names of 'Wegovy' and 'Ozempic'. Weekly injections of 'Wegovy', might well produce 'effortless weight loss'. Leila Latif points out, however, that the consequent appetite loss can be personally and socially problematic (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/mar/05/england-weight-loss-drug-appetite-semaglutide-diabetes). Eating is about more than nutrition. For many folk, meals are social occassions (especially on dates, birthdays etc). 'Eating out' can give people variety as well as convenience. Indeed, one of the pleasures of travel, can be trying different foods in new locations. Latif clearly illustrates how appetite loss has destroyed her previous appreciation of food. Such effects will be especially galling for chefs, enthusiastic cooks, restaurant reviewers etc, etc. It's to be hoped that prescription-free 'Wegovy' and 'Ozempic' will not, however, be sold to people with established eating disorders. That could be life-threatening.