Survey reveals weight loss medication ‘trust gap’ in the UK, as 1 in 5

An estimated 1.4 million people are accessing popular weight loss medications like Wegovy, Saxenda and Mounjaro, yet Brits remain anxious and reluctant to talk about medicated weight loss openly.  

To find out how Brits feel about discussing weight loss, we surveyed 2,000 respondents to discover if they know someone taking or seeking weight loss medication, and if they feel comfortable talking about use with someone close.   

How many Brits know someone currently taking or seeking weight loss medication:  

1. Yes – they’ve told me (17.80%) 
2. Yes – I suspect they are (12.90%) 
3. No (60.40%) 
4. Not sure (7.10%) 
5. Prefer not to say (1.80%)  

How many Brits are comfortable discussing weight loss medication:  

• Yes (41.85%) 
• No (20.20%) 
• It depends on the person (30.90%) 
• I already have (1.40%) 
• Not sure (5.65%) 

The age people are most and least likely to know someone taking or seeking weight loss medication:  

• Most – 25–34-year-olds (52.73% - Yes, they’ve been told by someone or suspect someone is taking weight loss medication)  
• Least – 55+ year olds (78.79% - No, they don’t know anyone taking or seeking weight loss medication)  

The age people are most and least comfortable discussing weight loss with someone close to them: 

• Most – 25–34-year-olds (48.48%) 
• Least – 16–24-year-olds (27.31%)  

Trust Gap: Men vs Women  

The top responses from each gender when asked if they know someone currently taking or seeking weight loss medication: 

The top responses from each gender when asked if they would feel comfortable discussing weight loss medications with someone close to them: 

UK cities most open to discussing weight loss medication  

1. Edinburgh (50.60%) 
2. Glasgow (48.75%) 
3. Newcastle (46.58%) 
4. London (45.04%) 
5. Leeds (44.74%) 

UK cities least open to discussing weight loss medication  

1. Liverpool (28.95%) 
2. Southampton (26.32%) 
3. Bristol (25.25%) 
4. Edinburgh (24.10%) 
5. Norwich (23.94%) 

Occupations most open to discussing weight loss medication  

1. Estate/Letting Agent (75%) 
2. Police Man/Woman (66.67% 
3. IT Technician/Software (66.30%) 
4. Doctor (64.71%) 
5. Lawyer (3.64%) 

Occupations least open to discussing weight loss medication  

1. Farmer (50%) 
2. Sales Representative (41.67%) 
3. Property Developer (40%) 
4. Plumber (37.50%) 
5. Advertising/Media (30%) 

Are you struggling to open up about weight loss medication?  

Our study revealed that despite increasing weight loss medication use, over one-fifth of Brits still aren’t comfortable discussing the topic and feel some internalised shame or anxiety.  

Weight loss support should never be a source of shame. Medications are not a quick-fix solution and are only prescribed to people who qualify for them after a thorough medical assessment.  

Health and weight loss journeys are often deeply personal, so it’s essential to build a support network to have those conversations with someone you feel supported by and safe with - this could be a close friend, partner, or family member.  

Alternatively, seeking online and in-person support groups dedicated to weight loss medication use can connect you with individuals going through similar experiences and allow you to share feelings in a judgment-free environment.