The ‘weight loss revolution’ changing the world

改变世界的“减肥革命”

The Global Story

2026-02-11

26 分钟
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During Sunday's Super Bowl in California, a flurry of ads from drug manufacturers and telehealth companies implored viewers at home to "ask their doctor” about a class of weight loss drugs, known as GLP-1s. These medications — like Mounjaro and Wegovy — have become ubiquitous. In just a few short years, they’ve transformed the way we live, move, and eat, whether we take them or not. And access and demand are only increasing, as pill forms of the drugs come onto the market. But where did they come from? And how are they reshaping our world? Today, we speak to Giles Yeo, a professor of molecular neuroendocrinology at the University of Cambridge, about the so-called weight loss revolution. Producer: Xandra Ellin Executive producer: Bridget Harney Sound engineer: Travis Evans Senior news editor: China Collins (Photo: Someone using a set of weighing scales. Chris Radburn/PA)
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  • This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK.

  • The other evening, during the biggest night in American TV,

  • the Super Bowl, this commercial popped up.

  • It was an ad for a new weight loss pill, and it wasn't the only one of its kind.

  • Throughout the evening,

  • a flurry of ads from drug manufacturers and telehealth companies told the people at home watching to ask their doctor about revolutionary new weight loss drugs known as GLP-1s.

  • Now, when something enters the territory of a Super Bowl commercial,

  • that means it's really in the cultural zeitgeist.

  • And these ads are not appearing in isolation.

  • You will see dramatic reductions in the cost of popular weight loss drugs known as Just the other day,

  • the White House launched a new initiative called TrumpRx.

  • It's a website that the president says will help Americans buy prescription drugs for a lower price.

  • Now, there is a lot that is still unclear about the impact of this new government platform.

  • But one thing that caught my eye is that the website includes offers for popular weight loss drugs,

  • like Ozympic and Wagovi.

  • Nobody can even believe it.

  • A 578 percent difference.

  • Drugs that in just a few short years have become so commonplace,

  • transforming the way we live, move, and eat.

  • From the BBC, I'm Asma Khalid, and today on The Global Story,