How Weight Loss Drugs Change Ones Relationship With Food?

Weight-loss drugs like Wegovy, Mounjaro and Ozempic are now reshaping how people interact with food. Whether it is about shifting their eating habits or altering perceptions of hunger, these drugs have it all. These drugs primarily work by reducing appetite. This in return, leads to weight loss- but they also raise important questions about its long-term use, societal impact, and of course, the root cause of obesity.

How do Weight-loss drugs work?

The active ingredient in these drugs are semaglutide, which is an anti-diabetic medication used to treat type-2 diabetes. It works by activating GLP-1 receptors, which lowers appetite, and slows how quickly the stomach empties and increases insulin production.

These medications are therefore also called GLP-1 Drugs, a class of medications that help manage the blood sugar (glucose) levels in people with Type 2 obesity. Some GLP-1 agonists can also help treat obesity.

They are most often injectable medication, which means you inject a liquid medication with a needle and syringe. The shot is administered in the fatty tissue under your skin and areas of your body that includes your belly, outer thighs, upper buttocks, and the back of your arms.

GLP-1 is a hormones that your small intestine makes which can do these following functions:

• Trigger insulin release from your pancreas
• Block glucagon secretion (glucagon is a hormone that your body uses to raise your blood sugar levels when necessary)
• Slows stomach emptying: slower digestion means your body releases less glucose from food to your bloodstream
• Increase your satiety

For years, obesity was often seen as a result of poor lifestyle choices. However, experts now suggest that biological factors play a significant role. Some individuals may have a hormonal imbalance that makes them feel hungrier than others, predisposing them to weight gain. This could explain why traditional dieting methods don’t work for everyone.

Historically, a strong appetite was beneficial—people needed to eat when food was available because the next meal wasn’t guaranteed. But in today's world, where high-calorie foods are cheap and easily accessible, this natural drive can lead to excessive weight gain. Weight-loss medications counteract this by adjusting appetite-regulating hormones.

So, how does food choices change on these drugs?

People who take weight-loss medications report a noticeable change in their eating behaviors.

While one of the most common one is the reduce in hunger, meals become smaller and snacking decreases. In fact, for many, there is less interest in junk food, and people lose cravings for sugary or high-fat foods. Some people also report a change in taste, which means certain flavors, especially if they are sweet or greasy becomes unappealing.

However, there may be challenges in its long-term use. One major concern is what happens when people stop taking these medications. Since they only work while in use, many individuals regain weight once they discontinue the treatment. This raises critical questions:

• Should people take weight-loss drugs indefinitely?
• Will these medications become a lifelong necessity for some?
• What happens when cost or availability becomes a barrier?

Currently, the NHS prescribes these drugs for only two years due to financial constraints. However, if the underlying issues causing obesity aren’t addressed, demand for these medications will likely continue to grow.