Weight-Loss Drugs: Are They Overused?

Weight-loss drugs may help persons lose weight. However, they do not eliminate the need for exercise, a proper diet, and adequate sleep.

Furthermore, often proper diet, exercise, rest, etc., can be effective in attaining and maintaining the proper weight—without using any drugs.

Also, only certain persons are typically eligible to be considered for prescription weight-loss drugs. These include persons with high body mass indexes (BMIs over 30 or over 27 with certain underlying  conditions).

Harmful Side Effects of Weight-Loss Drugs

An Obesity Medicine Association article [1] and a Drugs article [2] are two of many articles that discuss potential harmful side effects of several weight-loss medications.

Diet, Exercise, and Rest Are Important

A UC Davis Health article [3] notes that “exercise is beneficial for everyone,” adding that “it’s nearly impossible to maintain weight loss without it.”

A National Institutes of Health article [4] states: “Medications don’t replace physical activity or healthy eating habits as a way to lose weight. Studies show that weight management medications work best when combined with a lifestyle program.”

A Mayo Clinic article [5] notes: “you need to use prescription weight-loss drugs in addition to — not instead of — a healthy diet and exercise.”

Numerous websites also point out the importance of getting adequate sleep in order to attain and maintain a healthy weight, including the National Institutes of Health article cited earlier.

Various options are available for exercise and diet. Personally, I enjoy bicycling. If your neighborhood has a safe place to bike, I urge you to consider bicycling too. Below are a 2023 photo of my bicycle which I still ride at least occasionally and an October 30, 2025 photo of some foods I eat.

Closing Thoughts

I am not a medical professional or a dietician. I cannot give any medical or dietary advice. However, here in the United States we often seem to seek drugs for an easy fix to health issues or their symptoms, rather than making lifestyle changes that could be more effective with fewer negative side effects.

Persons who eat a healthy, nutritious diet in moderation, exercise regularly, get adequate rest, and maintain a healthy lifestyle in other respects may not need to take a weight-loss drug to maintain a healthy weight.

Ultimately, I think the highest righteous power, which I call God, has control over our health and destiny. But we have a free will to make choices that impact ourselves and others for better or worse. As I see it, seeking to eat a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and engaging in other aspects of a healthy lifestyle help us maintain a healthy weight.

I've never taken any weight-loss medication. God has blessed me to maintain a healthy diet without it, even though I confess I'm not perfect at eating, exercising, resting, etc.     

Weight-loss drugs are a supplement that only those who need them ought to seek to take. It's debatable whether or not weight-loss medications are overused. Personally, I feel that they are.   

ENDNOTES:   

[1] Weight Loss Medication Side Effects: Know Before You Start; Obesity Medicine Association; January 20, 2024; webpage accessed November 7, 2025;  https://obesitymedicine.org/blog/5-common-weight-loss-medications-their-side-effects-obesity-medicine-association/ 

[2] Anderson, Leigh Ann (medically reviewed article); “Side Effects of Weight Loss Drugs; Drugs.com; ; last updated February 3, 2025; webpage accessed November 7, 2025; https://www.drugs.com/article/side-effects-weight-loss-drugs.html 

[3] Can weight loss medications really help you lose weight?; UC Davis Health; August 28, 2024; webpage accessed November 7, 2025; https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/can-weight-loss-medications-help-you-lose-weight/2024/08 

[4] “Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight & Obesity”; National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney  Diseases; National Institutes of Health; last reviewed June 2024; webpage accessed November 7, 2025; https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/prescription-medications-treat-overweight-obesity 

[5] Mayo Clinic Staff; “Prescription weight-loss drugs: Study the pros and cons of medicines to treat obesity.” Mayo Clinic; October 29, 2022; Webpage accessed November 7, 2025; https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/weight-loss-drugs/art-20044832