United States: Thanksgiving is around the corner. Some are waiting for with immense joy and excitement, while others, especially those dealing with obesity, are a bit concerned. The regard was highlighted by the Associated Press, which cited Claudia Stearns – who is concerned about this festive season and obesity.
Stearns expressed that she dislikes the festive season because of the turmoil of obsessing about what she ate. She stated that the “food noise” in her head has faded after losing around 100 pounds. She highlighted that she used medication, including Wegovy – which is a powerful new anti-obesity drug.
The news agency quoted Stearns as saying, “Last year, it felt so lovely to just be able to enjoy my meal, to focus on being with friends and family, to focus on the joy of the day,” adding, “That was a whole new experience.”
Reportedly, this concern has been gaining popularity among the Americans. This has been addressed by medical experts and consumers – who highlighted that medications and drugs have also been affecting the way of thinking of eaters, along with shifting to what to eat.
This has left people divided as some consider having greater control over what they intake. On the other hand, it weakens the enjoyment of social situations, especially during those that are food-centric, like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Chief of endocrinology at Denver Health – Dr Daniel Bessesen, who is known to treat patients with obesity, said, “It’s something that really changes a lot of things in their life. They go from food being a central focus to it’s just not.”
Drugs to treat obesity
Reports outlined that the latest drug for obesity is semaglutide, which was initially developed for the treatment of diabetes. The medication has been approved as Zepbound and is used in Ozempic and Wegovy, and tripeptide is used in Mounjaro, according to the reports by AP.
The drugs are injected into the bodies and are known to work very differently from dieting. These injections regulate appetite while a person eats, along with sending a message of fullness to the brain via the gut. As per the findings of the studies, an individual can lose around 15 percent to 25 percent of their body weight.
What does Stearns feel about Thanksgiving and her favorite dish?
Stearns expressed that her treatment for obesity started in 2020; this year, she plans to have a few bites of her favorite Thanksgiving pies. “I would not feel full, but I would feel satisfied,” she said, AP noted.
However, this change has wider effects on religious and cultural aspects, impacting the traditions and celebrations that usually revolve around food interactions.
