1.6m of us used weight loss drugs in last year

AT least 1.6 million adults in England, Wales and Scotland have used fat-loss drugs in the past year.

- BY GILES SHELDRICK Chief reporter

But twice that number are interested in using injections such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, despite research showing that weight is regained within 20 months of stopping the treatment.

Researchers from University College London found use of the treatment was twice as common among women compared to men, and more common among those aged between 45-55. Current use has far outstripped forecasts.

Lead author Professor Sarah Jackson, from the UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, said: “Our findings show an estimated 4.9 million adults in Britain — nearly one in 10 — have recently used a drug to support weight loss or were interested in using one.

“This usage far exceeds NHS England’s initial goal of prescribing these drugs to 220,000 people over three years.”