Obesity Prevention Day: Weight loss pens do not replace healthy habits, says expert

The medications Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro are applied with subcutaneous pens and have gained ground in the search for weight loss — Photo: Reproduction/Novo Nordisk/Eli Lilly

Celebrated this Sunday (11), National Obesity Prevention Day reinforces the importance of adopting healthy habits and raising awareness about a disease that has advanced in Brazil. In recent years, so-called weight loss pens have gained popularity as an alternative for treating obesity.

However, experts warn that these medications should only be used with medical advice and supervision, due to possible adverse effects and the need for lifestyle changes.

To g1, endocrinologist and professor at the Federal University of Piauí (UFPI), Wallace Miranda, explained that the pens were initially developed for the treatment of obesity and diabetes and can cause adverse effects when used without professional guidance.

"They include adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and dehydration. Kidney failure may also occur due to dehydration and pancreatitis," he said.

Treatment goes beyond medication

Commercial consultant Joyce Cardoso, 31, decided to resort to drug treatment after several attempts to lose weight without lasting results. She told g1 that the decision came when she realized that being overweight was already affecting her self-esteem and quality of life.

"Seeing that nothing else fit me, I didn't feel good about taking photos and having reached the peak of my weight, at 97 kg. At that moment I realized that I needed to seek help not just for aesthetics, but mainly for my health and quality of life", he reported.

Since the beginning of the follow-up, she claims to have lost 18 kilos. Despite the results, Joyce highlights that medication was only part of the process, which also involved changes in diet, regular physical activity and monitoring by different health professionals.

"It was a multidisciplinary process that involved a nutritionist, psychologist, physical educator and gastroenterologist. I changed my diet, became more aware of my habits and included physical activity as part of my routine", he said.

Joyce claims she tried to lose weight through diets — Photo: Getty Images

The importance of these changes is also highlighted by endocrinologist Wallace Miranda. According to him, the use of weight loss pens must be associated with the adoption of healthy habits to contribute to the results of the treatment.

“Pens do not compete with lifestyle modifications, but rather need to act together to help with weight loss,” he explained.

Prejudice and judgment during treatment

In addition to the challenges related to weight loss, Joyce says that she had to deal with criticism and judgment about the decision to use the medication. According to her, some people considered the treatment an easy way to lose weight or questioned the possible health risks.

"The criticisms were generally related to the supposed 'ease' of the treatment or the risks it could bring to my health. But my experience was exactly the opposite: today I feel much healthier, and exams that previously showed changes have seen a significant improvement. The pen is not a shortcut, but a treatment tool", he stated.

Treatment must be individualized and long-term

According to Wallace Miranda, the indication of weight loss pens depends on the characteristics and needs of each patient.

The specialist emphasizes that not all people with obesity are recommended to use these medications and that there are other therapeutic alternatives for treating the disease.

“Each case needs to be individualized,” he highlighted.

The endocrinologist also reinforced that obesity is a chronic disease and, therefore, requires continuous monitoring and strategies that can be maintained throughout life.

"You need a healthy diet, a diet that you can maintain. There is no point in having a very restrictive diet, but rather something that you can maintain for the rest of your life. Physical activity for the rest of your life and medication in some cases", he concluded.