New Study: Anti-Obesity Drugs and Food Waste

A recent study has uncovered a significant phenomenon among some U.S. adults. Taking anti-obesity drugs has led them to discard more food than they previously did. In a survey of those currently on GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, an interesting disparity was observed. 25% of respondents admitted to wasting more food since starting the drugs, while 61% disagreed. It was found that those experiencing nausea from the drugs were more prone to reporting increased food waste. Additionally, being on the medications for a longer duration and consuming more vegetables were associated with reduced food waste.

Uncovering the Impact of Anti-Obesity Drugs on Food

Survey Findings and Demographics

The researchers surveyed 505 U.S. adults currently on anti-obesity medications through an online questionnaire. This diverse group represented a range of ages, household incomes, and education levels, and most had insurance. On average, those who had been on the medications for at least one year had lost 20% of their body weight. It was noted that the one-fourth of participants who had been on the drugs for a year or longer were less likely to report wasting food compared to those who had taken it for 90 days or fewer, with about 30% of respondents in the latter category.

As of spring this year, 6% of U.S. adults reported taking GLP-1 agonists. In the study, almost 70% of respondents were taking semaglutide (Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy), and nearly a quarter were taking terzepatide (Mounjaro). These medications treat type 2 diabetes and obesity by acting on a hormone in the small intestine to lower blood sugar, slow stomach emptying, and signal fullness to the brain.

Influence of Nausea and Dietary Changes

Nausea emerged as the main driver of food waste. However, the results also hinted at another possible influence - changes in preferences and habits. Participants reported adding produce, protein, fish, and healthy fats to their diets while consuming less alcohol, pasta, other carbohydrates, fried foods, sweets, and dairy. For example, the addition of vegetables, the most commonly wasted food group in the U.S., was linked to a lower likelihood of wasting food, indicating a shift in eating habits towards more veggie-dense meals.

Roe pointed out that "Meat is neutral in terms of eating more or less after starting this medication." This shows that the impact on food waste is not uniform across all food categories.

Economic and Environmental Implications

Roe is planning another paper to examine the changes in household finances linked to taking anti-obesity medicines, including both pharmacy and food costs. Given the increasing prescription of GLP-1 agonists, there are broad local and global economic and environmental impacts. While reducing population-level food consumption can lower energy costs, preserve resources, and reduce greenhouse gas creation, there isn't enough data yet to predict the extent of these societal effects.

"People taking these medications in all likelihood will be spending less on food, but whether there is a chance to offset the cost of the drug through reduction in food spending remains to be seen," Roe said. This highlights the complex nature of the issue and the need for further research.

Other research labs have used simulations to show the potential benefits of reducing food waste. As novel anti-obesity medications have a chance to impact global public health, and changes in food intake can affect environmental indicators, there are many compelling questions to consider regarding the sustainability of the food system and healthcare.