WeightControl.com Interview with:
Brian E. Roe, Ph.D.
Associate Chair
Fred N. VanBuren Professor of Farm Management
The Ohio State University
WeightControl.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: The use of anti-obesity medications (AOMs) is on the rise in the United States with the introduction of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists to the pharmaceutical market. It is estimated that 6% of the U.S. adult population is on a GLP-1 medication while as many as 12% have been on one at some point. While it is well-documented that people eat less food when on the drug, little is known about its impact on how much food consumers waste, which is critical because about a third of food purchased is never consumed.
WeightControl.com: What are the main findings?
Response: We surveyed more than 500 current GLP-1 drug users and find that about a quarter of agree that they waste more food since beginning the drug, while 61% disagree. Those who have been on the medication longer, are not suffering nausea as a side effect, and have increased the relative share of fruit and vegetable consumption since beginning the medication are more likely to disagree that they waste more since beginning the drug.
WeightControl.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: These increasingly popular medications may have effects beyond just direct medical and health implications. When an increasingly large segment of consumers is buying less food and perhaps wasting less food, it can reverberate through the food system. Also, as these drugs become more popular, it may be wise to prepare patients for the likely changes to their food buying and preparation habits to help them waste less food, which may be a source of savings that can help offset any out of pocket expenses they may face being on the medication.
WeightControl.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work?
Response: The study is retrospective, i.e., relies on participants remembering activities prior to their beginning the medication. Hence prospective studies that track food intake and waste before and during medication use will provide even better insights into the potential implications for this class of drugs on the food system.
Disclosures: The study was conducted with funds internal to Ohio State University.
Citation:
Changes in Food Waste among a Sample of U.S. Consumers after Beginning Anti-Obesity Medication
by Jamil Mansouri andBrian E. Roe
Nutrients 2024, 16(19), 3274; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16193274 – 27 Sep 2024
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Last Updated on November 22, 2024 by weightcontrol