Saturday Morning With Jack Tame

A new weightloss medication is now available in New Zealand – accessible on a private, nonsubsidised script.  Dr Bryan Betty joined Jack Tame to discuss Wegovy – what it is, how you use it, the side effects, and why people are seeking medical treatment for their weight.    What is Wegovy?   A once-weekly injection for weight loss known as a ‘GP-1 agonist’.   It mimics a hormone in the gut that reduces our desire to eat and controls sugar in the blood.   Developed originally for diabetes but found to help with weight loss, especially at higher doses.   The same drug at lower does is known as Ozempic, which is used for diabetes.     Is obesity a problem in New Zealand? Why medication? Shouldn’t we just eat better and move more?   We do have problem in New Zealand with obesity – it's a major heath issue.   Over a third population is classified as obese, and it costs the economy $2 billion a year in healthcare costs.  A good diet and exercise are crit