Simple Online Pharmacy 2024 GLP-1 Weight Loss Survey - Key Insights
The survey, alongside our own data, paints a picture of the weight loss journey of many of our patients. We went out to the 25,000 patients that had moved material BMI brackets, to understand the lifestyle and other impacts from their weight loss. We received 519 responses to the survey, which closed at the end of October 2023. For the full methodology, please see our approach outlined here. Within this page, we will talk through a summary of key insights, with more detailed data an insights available in the linked sections below.
Of note, first was the high proportion of our patients that had already tried the NHS recommended approach to losing weight. 76% of our respondents had already tried calorie restrictive diets, 70% and had tried exercise and 71% had tried weight loss groups, without success.
Many of our patients use Simple Online Pharmacy because they are unable to get weight care medication through the NHS - around 27% of our patients came to us because the NHS process was too difficult, or too long. For those purchasing Wegovy specifically, over 30% said the NHS process was too difficult or too long. For 12% of them, it was the discreet packaging and convenience of delivery to their door that made them choose us.
But, using a private medical service like Simple Online Pharmacy can be a benefit; 75% of patients find that paying for their medication themselves makes them more likely to stick with a new long-term lifestyle change. Over 80% of people in the survey agreed that using a weight care medication made them more aware of what they were eating, and had made lasting changes to their physical activity as a result of being on the medication.
The impact on lifestyle and health was significant, with 97% noticing at least one aspect of their health had improved with weight loss, with increased mobility and improved energy levels often being cited.
Some respondents reported improvement of other medical conditions as they lost weight; 27% saw a lowering of their blood pressure, while others saw improvements to their blood sugar and needing less medication to help treat their other health issues. In particular, patients saw improvements to weight-related conditions including cholesterol levels (20%) and pre-diabetes (10%). 21% were no longer taking medication for other conditions, after having lost a material percentage of BMI.
The impact on emotional wellbeing from losing weight was notable for a substantial number of respondents, with 81% of patients reporting that their mood, confidence levels and emotional wellbeing all improved since they had lost weight. 71% noticed that their self-esteem had improved, and more than 2/3rds of patients felt they had a more positive body image after losing weight.
When asked if patients had noticed that attitudes towards them had changed when they had lost weight, 54% or patients surveyed agreed that attitudes towards them had changed, with 49% of those describing reduced weight related stigma, bias or discrimination. This points to disturbingly high levels of societal stigma and bias towards those living with obesity; and suggests a strong link between emotional and mental wellbeing, and obesity. This is further corroborated by extensive research conducted by Dr. Stuart Flint, who has produced several reports on this topic, including drawing the link between the impact of negative body image on mental and physical health.
Sleep plays a pivotal role in forming healthy habits; when asked what factors made it difficult to buy healthy food, the most selected reason (40%) was simply being tired; more than 50% of patients also reported that improved sleep was the most significant lifestyle improvement they noted from losing weight.
One of the key factors to losing weight lies in what we eat; 63% of people surveyed agreed that rising costs of food made it harder to eat healthier; when asked what would help them make healthier buying choices, more affordable healthy food options came up as the highest selected option. 68% saying this would make the biggest difference to them, followed by 65% selecting “Discounts on healthy food”. 37% agreed that “Buy One, Get One Free” offers on unhealthy foods influenced their decisions to buy them; this suggests that it may be more important to make healthy food affordable, rather than banning the promotion of unhealthy food as has been proposed by the Government.