Most obese Irish people are “not looking for quick fixes” and instead are interested in a variety of treatments, one of the country’s leading obesity experts has said. 

According to the HSE, 37% of people in Ireland are overweight, while a further 23% are obese. 

Increasingly, many are turning to weight loss medications such as Ozempic - which some have hailed as a “game changer” when it comes to tackling obesity. 

Despite this, new research from the Irish Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism found that most obese people would prefer nutritional treatment. 

“Different treatments will suit different people,” Clinical lead for Obesity at the Irish College of GPs Dr Mick Crotty told Newstalk Breakfast. 

“This research that was carried out shows that the majority of people want a nutritional approach to managing obesity. 

“About a quarter of people might consider medication as a treatment option and about a quarter of people might consider surgery. 

“So, we need to listen to our patients to see what treatment they might like to treat their health and obesity.” 

Dr Crotty said that there is not a “one size fits all approach” and most would prefer not to take medication. 

“There’s lots of noise recently about the treatment of obesity and particularly this idea of skinny jabs and quick fixes and, I suppose, the ‘Hollywoodisation’ of obesity treatments,” he said. 

“Whereas actually, when you listen to patients, patients just want support to improve their health. 

“They’re not looking for quick fixes.” 

An Ozempic injection. Picture by: Alamy.com. 

Dr Crotty said helping patients deal with their obesity continues to be “challenging” because the condition is both stigmatised and poorly resourced. 

“GPs are not given the support that is needed to dedicate time to this,” he said. 

“So, in other areas of health, let’s say hypertension, diabetes, asthma, GPs are supported with practice nurse time, with reimbursement, with referral pathways to treat those chronic diseases. 

“We don’t have the same thing for obesity to support our patients.” 

A GP with a patient. Picture by: PA Archive/PA Images. 

Despite this, Dr Crotty said there has been a “shift in understanding” in recent years but that there is still much more to be done. 

“GPs are very busy and they’re treating lots of diseases,” he said. 

“We’re telling them now, this is another disease you have to treat - but we’re not going to support you in doing that. 

“Education is a big part and that’s what we’re working on.” 

From the end of this month, a new weight loss drug, Wegovy, will be available in Irish pharmacies. 

Clinical trials have found that people who are prescribed it for a year can lose more than 10% of their body weight.

Main image: A person using a set of weighing scales. Picture by: PA.