Thanksgiving Celebrations Altered: The Impact of Novel Anti-Obesity Medications

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Gone are the days when overeating at Thanksgiving, a holiday synonymous with indulgence in food, was a source of guilt for many. This change is particularly evident in individuals like Stearns, a 65-year-old resident of Somerville, Massachusetts, who has experienced a significant transformation after losing nearly 100 pounds. This weight loss is attributed to her use of Wegovy, an innovative anti-obesity medication. Stearns recounts how last year’s Thanksgiving was refreshingly different, focusing more on the joy of being with loved ones rather than the usual preoccupation with food.

This shift in perspective is becoming increasingly common among Americans battling obesity, especially with the advent of new weight-loss drugs. These medications are altering not just dietary choices but also the fundamental relationship with food.

These drugs, initially developed for diabetes treatment, such as semaglutide (found in Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (in Mounjaro and Zepbound), are now being repurposed for weight loss. Administered weekly, they imitate potent hormones that regulate appetite and satiety, potentially leading to a weight reduction of 15% to 25%. Dr. Michael Schwartz, a metabolism, diabetes, and obesity specialist, notes that these drugs diminish the rewarding aspects of food. For Stearns, this means enjoying a few bites of Thanksgiving pie without the urge to overindulge.

However, these changes come with cultural and religious implications, as they modify the experience of holidays traditionally centered around food. Joe Sapone, a 64-year-old retiree from New Jersey who lost about 100 pounds, echoes this sentiment. The challenge lies in dissociating food consumption from the enjoyment of social gatherings.

While many users appreciate the increased control over their dietary choices during emotionally laden occasions like the holiday season, others experience diminished appetites or adverse effects that detract from the joy of eating. Dr. Katherine Saunders of Weill Cornell Medicine points out that while some patients miss the pleasure of eating, most who opt for these treatments are burdened by chronic obesity and welcome the reduced food cravings and the consequent weight loss.

Nevertheless, discontinuing the medication often leads to a return of appetite and rapid weight gain. An early study showed that two-thirds of patients stopped using these weight-loss drugs within a year, possibly due to cost and supply issues. Dr. Jens Juul Holst of the University of Copenhagen raises a fundamental question about altering a basic human drive like appetite: How long can one endure the loss of pleasure in eating?

The long-term impact and ethical considerations of these medications remain a topic of discussion in the medical community, as highlighted by Holst at a recent international diabetes conference.

This article is brought to you by the Big Big News Health and Science Department with support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP maintains full editorial responsibility for the content.

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More about Anti-obesity medications Thanksgiving

• Wegovy and its effects on weight loss
• Impact of obesity medications on festive meals
• Cultural implications of reduced appetite from anti-obesity drugs
• Side effects of new weight-loss drugs
• Long-term use and discontinuation of obesity medications