The weight-loss drug Wegovy has recently become available in UK pharmacies, prompting significant demand. However, the author of this piece, Clare Foges, finds herself ineligible for the medication due to her body mass index (BMI).
Wegovy is prescribed for individuals with a BMI of 30 and above, or a BMI between 27 and 30 if they have weight-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. Foges, standing at 5ft 7in and weighing approximately 10st 5lb, has a BMI of 22.8, which falls within the healthy weight category according to standard guidelines.
Foges describes herself and others in a similar situation as 'Thinbetweeners' – individuals who are not clinically overweight but are also not slender, often carrying an extra half stone (approximately 7 pounds) that they find difficult to lose. She notes that many such individuals have spent years trying to shed weight gained through sedentary work or after having children.
Citing her own experience, Foges humorously recounts an interaction at a toddler group where her post-pregnancy weight was mistaken for a new pregnancy. She states that her attitude towards her body has always been functional, viewing it as a means to navigate life, though she acknowledges a desire to be slimmer to fit into clothes more easily.
The author also touches upon the health implications of consuming ultra-processed foods (UPFs), which constitute a significant portion of the British diet. She admits to being susceptible to UPFs, such as certain crisps, despite understanding their negative health impacts. Foges explains that for 'Thinbetweeners,' the motivation to lose weight is often not as strong as for those who are clinically obese, leading to a cycle of fluctuating dieting efforts.
Foges questions the current restrictions, suggesting that society should acknowledge that medications like Wegovy will likely be widely adopted within the next decade, especially as they become more affordable after patent expiration. She believes that the benefits of such drugs, in terms of health and managing UPF consumption, outweigh the potential side effects, and advocates for accessibility for those she terms 'Thinbetweeners', regardless of their BMI.
In separate observations, the piece briefly mentions concerns about holidaying in the Mediterranean due to potential dangers like toxic pufferfish and notes a refreshing approach to maternity wear seen on actress Anne Hathaway at a premiere.