If one thing has captured the zeitgeist this year , it’s weight loss drugs. You know the ones like semaglutide which mimic the effects of the hormone GLP-1. Everyone’s talking about them, half of everyone’s thinking of trying them, everyone knows someone who has started a course. Certainly an up-to-the minute, contemporary cutting edge (that’s enough adjectival phrases-ed) blog like LSS cannot afford to ignore them. But what to think? Who has the wisdom, the learning, the cool balanced judgement to advise, consult and warn?
The answer of course is Professor Devi Sridhar, whose sagacious thoughts we have channelled here before (LSS 3 4 25;23 8 24) on matters as diverse as antibiotics and how to read things you find on the Interweb. Writing in the Guardian[1] she presents not only a balanced view of the pros and cons, she acknowledges the complexity of the subject. In this she echoes the methods of another writer we have admired here. Simon Kuper (LSS 28 5 25)
And so she notes the advantages and disadvantages of these new drugs- what happens when you stop taking them? -is one caveat among many which she offers us . She smiles at The incipient war between the pharmaceutical companies who want to flog you these things, and the vast food and catering industries who want to flog you things which will make you fat. And above all the awful dilemma faced by decent rational people such as the World Health Organisation. Who know the real problem of obesity is rooted in poverty, ignorance, conspicuous consumption and other cultural tropes which reveal such unflattering truths about humanity. But who nevertheless have come to feel, reluctantly, that the new drugs offer the only practicable solution to the epidemic of obesity that threatens public health world wide. Amd perhaps this is the clearest cognitive lesson of all which she offers. For it echoes the doctrine of the great John Maynard Keynes who stated: “when the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do sir?”
A worthy doctrine for Whigs, rationalists and progressives of all shades, everywhere.
[2]https://uk.news.yahoo.com/weight-loss-jabs-conditionally-backed-135200252.html
#obesity #public health #weight loss #poverty #lifestyle
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