New Weight Loss Injections Transform Lives and Challenge Slimness Culture

Liora Edri and Yael Achmon have struggled with obesity most of their lives, facing not only medical issues but also social stigma. Both recall how their weight shaped their experiences, with Liora being nicknamed "Teddy Bear" from a young age and Yael never remembering herself as anything but overweight. Despite numerous diets and bariatric surgeries, their weight repeatedly returned. The arrival of new weight loss injections marked a turning point, not just in their weight but in their mental state. Liora describes the injections as silencing the "noise in her brain," while Yael highlights how the treatment helped her understand true hunger, reframing what was once seen as a lack of willpower.

In a recent episode of the podcast "To the Limit," host Keren Neubech and obesity specialist Dr. Raz Hagoel, who has personal experience with obesity, explore the impact of these new medications. Hagoel emphasizes that obesity is a persistent condition, stating, "I am still fat. Fat stays here, it will always be." The discussion extends beyond the drugs themselves to address the extreme culture of thinness and its future implications.

In December last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a pill form of the popular weight loss injection Wegovy, produced by Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk. This is the first daily oral medication approved for obesity treatment. Experts suggest that the pill's availability could expand the booming weight loss treatment market by improving access and reducing costs. Additionally, the dosage of these injections is set to increase, a change welcomed by both consumers and physicians.