Without affordable, healthy food and appropriate support, obesity drugs such as semaglutide and tirzepatide could widen health inequalities, say researchers at UCL and the University of Cambridge. 

In a correspondence published in Nature Medicine, the researchers argue that while incretin-based therapies have transformed obesity treatment, their long-term benefits may depend on factors beyond the medications themselves. 

Access to nutrition advice, healthy food, and ongoing healthcare support are all likely to shape whether patients can use the drugs safely and maintain health improvements over time, the team argues. 

Senior author Dr Adrian Brown, UCL Medicine, said: “We have highlighted that obesity treatment is not just a medical issue, but a social and structural one. Without integrated dietary support and attention to food affordability, these medications could deepen existing health inequalities. 

“The key message is clear: these treatments are powerful, but their long-term public health impact will depend on whether the right support systems are in place to ensure equitable and safe access for all patients.” 

According to a study by UCL researchers in January 2026, an estimated 1.6 million adults in England, Wales and Scotland used drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro to help lose weight between early 2024 and early 2025. An additional 3.3 million people said they would be interested in using weight loss drugs over the next year. Mounjaro (containing tirzepatide) typically costs £200 a month so is unaffordable for many. 

Lead author Dr Marie Spreckley, University of Cambridge, said: “The key question is not simply who can access these medications, but who can benefit from them in the long term. If access to healthy food, nutrition support and ongoing care is uneven, there is a risk that the benefits of these treatments will also be uneven.”