Weight Loss Jabs Disproportionately Used by Women and Middle Classes, Study Reveals
Research has uncovered a significant disparity in the uptake of weight loss injections, with women, middle-aged individuals, and the middle classes dominating private prescriptions despite having lower rates of overweight and obesity. Analysis of private prescriptions for drugs such as Mounjaro and Wegovy suggests that those with the greatest need—including men, the elderly, and the poor—are less likely to purchase these treatments.
Demographic Trends in Prescription Uptake
Almost 80 per cent of private prescriptions for weight loss jabs are issued to women, with the highest uptake observed among men and women aged 30 to 49. Usage declines sharply after the age of 60, indicating a demographic skew that does not align with public health needs. Researchers from the Health Foundation think tank and online weight management provider Voy analysed data from 113,630 patients who received private prescriptions between November 2024 and October 2025, using residential location as a measure of deprivation.
Deprivation and Access Inequalities
The study revealed that people in the most deprived regions were approximately one-third less likely to buy these jabs compared to those in the least deprived areas. This is particularly concerning given that deprived regions have far higher obesity levels and stand to benefit more from the drugs. An estimated 2.4 million people in the UK currently take glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s), which help users feel fuller by mimicking natural hormones released after eating.
Most prescriptions are obtained privately at a cost of around £200 per month, as heavy rationing on the NHS excludes many who seek treatment. Wes Streeting, the health secretary, highlighted this inequity at last year's Labour Party conference, criticising the unfair advantage wealthier individuals have in accessing the 'transformative' health benefits of these drugs. He emphasised a commitment to expanding NHS provision to 'defeat obesity' and end the two-tier system, though rollout remains slow.
Delayed Treatment and Health Risks
The new study also found that individuals in more deprived areas tend to start treatment at higher body mass index (BMI) levels, indicating further inequalities in access. Among 30 to 49-year-olds in the most deprived areas, about 45 per cent began treatment with a BMI of 35 or above, compared to around 30 per cent in the least deprived areas. The Health Foundation warns that this delay in treatment puts health at greater risk, as patients receive interventions later in their obesity journey.
Samantha Field, senior fellow in prevention at the Health Foundation and co-author of the research, stated: 'Our findings reveal a stark divide. The groups bearing the greatest burden of obesity are seeking GLP-1 treatments less frequently, and often at higher BMIs. The NHS should consider these findings as the rollout progresses to ensure medications reach those most in need.'
NHS Rollout Challenges and Future Directions
NHS England has implemented a phased rollout of Mounjaro over up to 12 years, but current data suggests even eligible patients face barriers to access. In the first three years of the rollout, approximately 220,000 patients have been prioritised, including those with a BMI over 40 and complicating conditions like high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes. However, if all eligible patients—estimated at over three million—sought treatment in the first year, it could consume nearly one in five GP appointments, straining primary care resources.
An NHS spokesperson affirmed: 'The NHS is rightly prioritising the rollout of weight-loss drugs for those in the greatest clinical need and is exploring ways to accelerate the offering so that eligible people can benefit from safe and effective treatment wherever they live in England. The NHS also offers a wide range of other support for weight loss, which has helped tens of thousands achieve healthier lifestyles.'
Field added: 'Ensuring fair public provision is essential, but these medications address a preventable problem. It's more important than ever that government retains focus on making changes to our food environment to prevent obesity in the first place.'
