Elon Musk has suggested that emerging appetite-inhibiting medications could significantly address the rising obesity rates in the United States.
Obesity rates will plummet with new appetite-inhibiting drugs, says Musk
Responding to a user’s comment about the alarming obesity statistics on social media platform X, Musk expressed optimism about new pharmaceutical interventions.
“40 percent of Americans are obese,” the user pointed out, referencing data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) from 2018.
Musk’s response was unequivocal, “They will plummet with the new appetite-inhibiting drugs.”
They will plummet with the new appetite inhibiting drugs
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 24, 2024
Obesity, a condition marked by excessive body fat, poses serious health risks and contributes significantly to the nation’s healthcare burden.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 40% of American adults are classified as obese.
The World Health Organization (WHO) however defines obesity as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher and considers a BMI of 25 and above as overweight.
The condition can lead to severe health issues, including diabetes, hypertension, and various cancers.
Globally, obesity is a growing concern.
In 2022, the WHO estimated that 1 in 8 people worldwide lived with obesity, with over 390 million children and adolescents aged 5-9 years being overweight, including 160 million classified as obese.
Recent advancements in weight management have seen the introduction of Semaglutide, a drug marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy by Novo Nordisk.
Developers initially created Semaglutide for type 2 diabetes and later repurposed it for weight loss.
The drug mimics the hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), which is naturally released after eating.
By activating GLP-1 receptors, Semaglutide reduces appetite and promotes feelings of fullness.
In 2023, Musk revealed that he lost approximately 20 pounds using Wegovy combined with intermittent fasting, which involves eating within restricted time windows.
This drug offers an alternative to more invasive weight loss surgeries and has shown promise in managing obesity.
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