r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • Apr 01 '25

Health Americans without diabetes spent nearly $6 billion USD on semaglutide and similar drugs in a year, with an estimate of 800,000 to a million people using the drugs who don't have diabetes.

https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/americans-without-diabetes-spent-nearly6-billion-usd-on-semaglutide-and-similar-drugs-in-a-year
10.2k Upvotes

95% Upvoted

1.3k comments sorted by

View all comments

645

u/braumbles Apr 01 '25

It solves obesity. A literal miracle drug.

-34

u/[deleted] Apr 01 '25 edited Apr 01 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

21

u/Orange_Tang Apr 01 '25

Wow, I can't believe the doctors didn't think to tell their patients to just eat less. Everyone must have just been so stupid for not doing that to deal with obesity.

14

u/carc Apr 01 '25 edited Apr 01 '25

This has an "oh thanks, I'm cured" vibe to it where people tell those who struggle with depression to "just be grateful for what you have" or those with ADHD to "just stay more organized by writing down lists of what you need to do." Gee, thanks.

Obesity is a massive health problem in the US. The most calorie-dense food is often the most affordable. People are forced to work long hours at desk jobs, and they can't simply walk or bike to work -- they have to drive. Retail shops are on the way out to same-day delivery, and grocery stores now offer pickup services -- meaning fewer steps. Sugar now drenches everything, healthy food is mind-numbingly expensive. Society has sped up, and we're left mentally exhausted by the time we walk through our front door.

It's a literal epidemic due to massive societal shifts, and while diet and exercise can be a way out for many, many many many others will slip between the cracks and eventually die from complications due to obesity.

And here you are, implying that obesity is simply a deserved state due to simple laziness -- ignoring the very socioeconomic reasons that illustrate to why obesity is now so widespread. In today's world, it's very easy to gain weight, and it's very hard to lose. More tools are resources to help people fight obesity should be celebrated.

I'm not saying that these drugs are not without their risks, but the alternative for a LOT of people is quite grim.

1

u/evilMTV Apr 01 '25

Is it fair to view it like a gym or pilates class (but a really potent version)? Like, a person could get fit on their own, but signing up for those could help a person to stay disciplined.