A new study has revealed that weight loss injections could reduce workplace sickness by nearly half and significantly alleviate pressure on the National Health Service. The research, conducted among 1,270 NHS patients enrolled in Oviva's tier 3 weight management programme, demonstrated substantial improvements in productivity and health outcomes.
Key Findings on Productivity and Healthcare Use
After nine months of treatment, patients on the injections experienced a 45% reduction in sick leave, while long-term absences of five days or more dropped by 56%. The patients, who were severely obese with an average BMI of 45 at the start, saw their BMI fall to 39 after nine months. On average, they managed at least three serious health conditions, most commonly anxiety, high blood pressure, and Type 2 diabetes.
The study also noted a significant decrease in GP appointments. Face-to-face consultations fell by 43%, and remote appointments dropped by 48%. Over 60% of patients reported not contacting their GP at all during the study period. A separate analysis of 738 patients found that A&E visits decreased by a quarter.
Impact of Semaglutide
Most patients were prescribed semaglutide, marketed as Wegovy for weight loss and Ozempic for Type 2 diabetes. After nine months, participants lost an average of 12.4% of their body weight. Martin Fidock, UK managing director of Oviva, emphasised the broader economic implications: “Britain is in the grip of a productivity crisis, and obesity is one of the biggest drivers. Hundreds of thousands of people are stuck on long-term sick leave, unable to work, costing the economy billions every year.” He added that the government must urgently expand access to these treatments.
Links Between Obesity and Social Issues
The findings were presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul, where another study highlighted connections between higher BMI and loneliness, stress, and financial difficulties. Researchers analysed data from 44,000 adults in the Netherlands, finding that 7.2% of severely obese individuals reported financial troubles compared to 4.3% of those with normal weight. Obese participants were also more likely to report loneliness. The authors noted that these relationships may be bidirectional, with obesity contributing to stigma and reduced work capacity, while stress and isolation may promote weight gain.
