Jan 15 Obesity won't be solely defined by BMI under new plan for diagnosis by global experts By JoNel Aleccia, Associated Press Under recommendations released Tuesday night, obesity would no longer be defined solely by BMI, a calculation of height and weight, but combined with other measurements, such as waist circumference, plus evidence of health problems tied to extra pounds. Continue reading
Jan 02 Watch 6:00 As weight loss drug demand soars, physician outlines effectiveness and potential downsides By William Brangham, Jackson Hudgins, Hamada Hanoura For weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, 2024 was a big year. More patients are relying on them to manage their weight, treat diabetes, or prevent heart attacks and strokes. And while they are highly effective, they also come… Continue watching
Oct 26 Watch 8:07 Why more doctors are treating children and adolescents with weight loss drugs By Ali Rogin, Satvi Sunkara Physicians are increasingly using weight loss drugs to treat obesity, diabetes and other chronic conditions in young patients. In the last three years, the number of people between the ages of 12 and 25 using drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic… Continue watching
Sep 24 Watch 3:57 Lawmakers challenge drug company CEO over steep prices for Ozempic and Wegovy By William Brangham, Courtney Norris, Ryan Connelly Holmes Ozempic and Wegovy are some of the most popular drugs in the country, driven by their remarkable success in treating diabetes and obesity. But the drugs are extremely expensive, and the drugmaker’s CEO appeared on Capitol Hill Tuesday to face… Continue watching
Sep 24 Obesity rates hold steady, but severe obesity is on the rise By JoNel Aleccia, Associated Press Experts say preventing obesity in the first place is key, starting in early childhood. Continue reading
Jun 17 Watch 8:38 The many ways new weight loss drugs could transform the economy By Catherine Rampell, Diane Lincoln Estes Last year, Americans spent over $50 billion on weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. Their popularity, and their price, are having effects throughout the economy. PBS News Hour special correspondent and Washington Post columnist Catherine Rampell reports. Continue watching
Dec 28 Watch 7:59 Physician discusses surge in demand for weight-loss drugs and risks in using them By Ali Rogin, Karina Cuevas One of the biggest health stories of this past year is the surge in demand for popular weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. Those drugs are in such demand that there’s a nationwide shortage of them. Pharmaceutical companies are scrambling… Continue watching
Nov 11 Study published that finds obesity drug Wegovy lowers risk of serious heart problems By JoNel Aleccia, Associated Press The popular weight-loss drug Wegovy reduced the risk of serious heart problems by 20 percent in a large, international study that experts say could change the way doctors treat certain heart patients. Continue reading
Nov 07 Lack of drug testing in people with obesity raises concerns about safety and efficacy By JoNel Aleccia, Associated Press Even a drug as common as ibuprofen, sold as Advil, may not relieve pain in people at higher weights when taken as directed, research shows. Continue reading
Aug 21 Watch 7:05 Study shows costly weight loss drug may also cut risks of heart attacks By William Brangham, Karina Cuevas The nation’s obesity epidemic is growing. Nearly 42 percent of all American adults are considered obese. Now, new findings about the FDA-approved weight-loss drug Wegovy may lead to even more demand for a medication that can be both life-changing and… Continue watching