Gender disparity revealed in Swiss obesity medication prescriptions

New report shows women far more likely to receive weight-loss prescriptions despite higher obesity rates among men

Women are prescribed weight-loss medications at 2.5 times the rate of men in Switzerland
52% of men in Switzerland are overweight or obese compared to 34% of women
Women accounted for 56% of Switzerland's total health expenditure in 2020

40,000

patients received covered weight-loss drugs in 2024

CHF 43 million

cost of weight-loss drug coverage in first 10 months

6.9 vs 2.8

daily doses per 1,000 women vs men

"Women are more likely to be concerned about appearance"
— Philipp Gerber, head of the Obesity Centre at the University Hospital of Zurich

Key Findings on Gender Disparity

Women are prescribed weight-loss medications at 2.5 times the rate of men in Switzerland
52% of men in Switzerland are overweight or obese compared to 34% of women
Women accounted for 56% of Switzerland's total health expenditure in 2020

40,000

patients received covered weight-loss drugs in 2024

CHF 43 million

cost of weight-loss drug coverage in first 10 months

6.9 vs 2.8

daily doses per 1,000 women vs men

"Women are more likely to be concerned about appearance"
— Philipp Gerber, head of the Obesity Centre at the University Hospital of Zurich