The Pat Kenny Show Should weight loss jabs be the first used to tackle obesity?
Oct 3, 2025
Professor Donal O'Shea, Clinical Lead for Obesity with the HSE, discusses new guidelines advocating for weight-loss medications as the first line of treatment for obesity. He highlights their effectiveness in preventing health issues like high blood pressure and diabetes. Donal emphasizes the importance of combining these drugs with lifestyle changes for optimal results. He also addresses common side effects and the economic benefits of public funding for long-term health savings. Insights on evolving treatment policies and the need for ongoing vigilance round out the conversation.
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Use Drugs Early To Prevent Complications
- Professor Donal O’Shea endorses using new weight-loss drugs earlier because they prevent downstream diseases.
- He warns we need real-world data to confirm prevention of diabetes and cancer.
Combine Drugs With Lifestyle Changes
- Combine medication with physical activity and healthy nutrition to maximise benefits.
- Focus on preserving muscle mass during weight loss to reduce frailty and fall risk.
Drugs Counter The Body’s Weight Reset
- New drugs work three ways: slow stomach emptying, increase fullness, and counter metabolic slowdown.
- They blunt the usual metabolic adaptation that returns weight after diet-induced loss.