Users of anti-obesity medications report an increase in food waste during the initial phase of use

Researchers at Ohio State found that 25% of respondents taking obesity medication agreed they had wasted more food since the study began. “Weight loss medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro, which also treat diabetes, may also be able to help users fight drug and alcohol abuse.” Photo credit: Marc Bruxelle/Dreamstime via TNS

As anti-obesity drugs have become more popular, a new concern has also gained traction among researchers: increasing food waste.

A self-administered online survey sponsored by Ohio State found that 25% of respondents use the following Glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists – such as Ozempic and Wegovy – “I agree that they have wasted more food since they started taking obesity medications,” said Brian Roe, a senior researcher and professor at the university Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics.

According to the National Institutes of HealthGLP-1As are a class of drugs used to treat obesity by controlling blood sugar and controlling metabolism.

“We still estimate that about a third of all food is wasted,” Roe said. “And then these medications are obviously very popular, with over 12% of the population having tried the drug at least once and probably at least 6% of people currently have a prescription and are taking the drug.”

Still, 61% of respondents disagreed with this connection, suggesting that food waste is not a problem specifically linked to these drugs, Roe said.

According to the studyPeople who experienced nausea while taking the drug were more likely to report an increase in food waste, as were those who took the drug for less than 90 days.

Conversely, respondents who reported taking the drug for more than 90 days or not experiencing nausea were more likely to be in the group who disagreed, Roe said.

The study The dependent variable was the respondent’s level of agreement, which was determined using a five-point scale to rate the statement: “Since I started taking this medication, I have noticed that I waste more of the food I buy.” Independent variables included reported side effects since starting GLP-1As – such as nausea and vomiting – dietary changes and/or adherence certain diets.

Jamil Mansouri, the study’s lead researcher and an agricultural economics student at Purdue University, worked with Roe on the study as part of the Big Ten Academic Alliance Summer Research Opportunities Program.

He said since the survey was demographic based, it also collected information on sex, gender, age, income level, weight, height, duration of medication use and diet.

“Our first key finding, which makes a lot of sense, is that a lot of the increase in food waste is coming from people who haven’t been on the medication for very long,” Mansouri said, “so from the 90-day group to the 90-day group first.” Six-month group.”

Roe said the increase in food waste among people who suffered from nausea and took the medication for less than 90 days is often due to changes in eating habits that occur when starting treatment with GLP-1As.

“Perhaps people are wasting food because they have not fully adapted to the new patterns that the drugs create in their food environment,” Roe said.

Understanding the interaction between two key drivers of change – food waste and the use of anti-obesity drugs – is ultimately key to determining whether these drugs are exacerbating or mitigating food waste, Roe said.

“Even if you waste the same proportion of your food, you may be buying less food, so the total amount of food wasted may go down,” Roe said.

Mansouri said as anti-obesity drugs become more mainstream, it is crucial that doctors and patients discuss changes in eating habits and food consumption when they first start GLP1-As.

“This survey is not final,” Mansouri said. “But from what we’ve found, I would say, and the most practical thing you can do as a doctor, is to come in at the start of these medications and say, ‘Hey, there’s going to be some changes in your diet and.’ Your consumption, and be aware of that when you go into it.’”

These open discussions could not only save patients money by helping them adjust their grocery purchases, but also reduce food waste across the country, Mansouri said.