Dr Amir Khan has spoken out against those who label the use of GLP-1 weight loss injections as 'cheating', insisting that these medications are legitimate treatments for obesity. In a video posted to Instagram, the ITV personality shared what he described as a 'little rant' on the matter.
Understanding GLP-1 Medications
GLP-1, or glucagon-like peptide-1, is a naturally occurring gut hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels and appetite. GLP-1 receptor agonists, often administered via injection, have become increasingly popular for managing diabetes and supporting weight loss. These medications work by suppressing hunger, leading to reduced food intake. In the UK, some of these drugs are available on the NHS for eligible patients.
Dr Khan's Message
In his video, Dr Khan urged his followers to stop criticising those using GLP-1 injections for weight loss. He said: 'Can we please stop saying that people taking GLP-1 injections for weight are cheating? Honestly, [it] drives me insane. Because what you're really saying is that someone who's spent their entire life battling hunger cravings, weight regain, and a body that's constantly working against them should just keep struggling.'
He explained that many individuals are fighting against their own genetics. 'The science tells us that obesity isn't simply about willpower. We know that genetics account for a huge proportion of body weight differences between people. Some people are biologically wired to feel hungrier, to store energy more efficiently, and to regain weight after losing it.'
Dr Khan added: 'If weight loss was simply about eating less and moving more, we would have solved obesity decades ago. But it's not. For years, people living with obesity have been fighting their own biology. Every time they lose weight, their hunger hormones increase, their metabolism adapts, and their body tries to drag them back to its previous weight. That's not a lack of discipline, that's physiology.'
Evidence-Based Treatment
Dr Khan emphasised that GLP-1 medications are 'evidence-based treatments for a chronic complex disease.' He described them as 'not magic' and 'not effortless,' and certainly not cheating. He questioned what critics are really worried about, suggesting they might be concerned that 'the playing field is finally becoming a little bit fairer.'
He noted that people taking these injections have consulted with their healthcare professionals, weighing benefits and risks. 'They're making an informed choice, they're improving their health on their own terms, and for many of them, for the first time in their lives, they are no longer fighting a relentless hunger every waking moment. That's not cheating, that's medicine doing what medicine is supposed to do.'
Anyone concerned about their weight is advised to consult their GP.
