The great weight-loss divide: Why poor are being left behind

A "stark divide" has emerged in the UK’s weight-loss revolution, as new research reveals that middle-aged, affluent women are dominating the uptake of jabs like Mounjaro and Wegovy.

Analysis by the Health Foundation and provider Voy found that nearly 80 per cent of private prescriptions are for women, primarily those aged 30 to 49.

Paradoxically, the groups with the highest clinical need—including men, the elderly, and those in deprived areas—are significantly less likely to access the medication.

The study, which examined over 113,000 patients, found that individuals in the poorest regions are a third less likely to buy the jabs than those in wealthier areas.

This disparity exists despite obesity levels being far higher in deprived communities. Currently, an estimated 2.4 million people in the UK use these GLP-1 drugs, but most pay around £200 a month privately due to strict NHS rationing.

Samantha Field, co-author of the research, noted: “The groups bearing the greatest burden of obesity are seeking GLP-1 treatments less frequently, and often at higher BMIs.”

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has previously condemned this "two-tier system," yet the NHS rollout remains sluggish, projected to take up to 12 years.

Experts warn that unless public provision improves, the health gap will only widen. Field stressed: “Ensuring fair public provision is essential,” while also urging the government to address the "food environment" to prevent obesity from occurring in the first place.

For now, the "transformative" benefits of these drugs remain largely a luxury for those who can afford to bypass the system.