June 10, 2025|
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|6 months agoGender Disparity in Swiss Obesity Treatment Revealed
New health observatory report shows significant gender gap in weight-loss medication prescriptions despite higher obesity rates among men.
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Generated IllustrationKey Takeaways
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- Despite higher obesity rates in men, women in Switzerland are prescribed weight-loss medications at a much higher rate.
- The demand for anti-obesity drugs, such as Wegovy, surged after they began to be partially reimbursed by health insurers in spring 2024.
- The Swiss Health Observatory (Obsan) report is based on medical invoices for officially approved and reimbursed anti-obesity drugs.
- Specialised obesity clinics report that more women than men seek professional help for weight issues.
- The most frequent users of these weight-loss medications are between the ages of 41 and 60.
By The Numbers
52%
Percentage of men in Switzerland who are overweight or obese
34%
Percentage of women in Switzerland who are overweight or obese
2.5 times
Ratio of women's to men's consumption rate of GLP-1 drugs
6.9
Daily doses of GLP-1 drugs per 1,000 women in 2024
They Said
"Women are more likely to be concerned about appearance."