The Surprising Way Medical Weight Loss Will Affect the Travel Industry

Medical weight loss continues to take over the world, with Novo Nordisk, maker of sought-after injectables Saxenda and Wegovy, having spent at least $25.8 million over the past ten years for US medical professionals to promote them.

And in a country where the National Health Service (NHS) spends ten billion pounds annually, or ten per cent of its budget, on type 2 diabetes, demand for semaglutide – the generic name for Wegovy – was high enough to begin with, even before the newfound off-label uses of the drug for weight loss.

Dramatic weight loss was once reserved for individuals who met the criteria for NHS-covered bariatric surgery or could afford to fly to another country where the surgery cost is cheaper.

In the same vein, an enjoyable travel experience was once reserved only for those with unimpeded mobility and accessibility. Now, with weight loss drugs on the rise, the travel industry is set to see some changes.

What is medical Weight Loss?

Medical weight loss is a process supervised by a doctor or medical team that considers a person’s unique circumstances.

This can involve being prescribed weight loss drugs, which are almost always combined with lifestyle changes for sustained weight loss. The more popular examples like Wegovy and Saxenda are GLP-1 receptor agonists, which slow stomach emptying and make you feel fuller for longer, or anorectics, which stimulate the nervous system to decrease appetite.

However, those doing further research will find that metformin and weight loss go hand-in-hand, as this type of medication increases GLP-1 secretion, supports appetite regulation, and strengthens the gut microbiome, an essential factor in weight loss ability.

The exact mechanism of metformin isn’t known, but it’s known to produce a change in appetite and cravings that lead to fewer overall calories and, therefore, weight loss. While not as powerful as a GLP-1 drug, metformin is more affordable for cash-paying patients as it’s a generic medication.

As cheaper pathways to medically supervised weight loss become available, more people gain not only the additional funds to travel but also the ability to enjoy the benefits of an industry that has historically evaded accommodation for the severely overweight and obese.

Weight loss and travelling

A UK Parliamentary survey found that 88% of people with obesity reported being stigmatised for their weight, which has led some to avoid going on holidays.

Travel is notoriously difficult for individuals who feel uncomfortable in standard-sized plane seats or do not meet the weight limits at certain attractions. At times, this is due to cost efficiency; some airlines already weigh passengers to ensure even weight distribution or adequate fuel.

With medical weight loss, airlines look at huge savings; United Airlines estimates they’ll save $80 million (£63.6 million) annually if the average passenger weight falls by just ten pounds.

Another group that stands to win big from this new crop of slimmer waistlines is stakeholders of tourist spots that involve size or fitness limitations, such as amusement parks and adventure tour operators.

The ones on the short end of the stick are travel businesses that rely on food and beverage for profit, as collectively shrinking appetites may dull overall spending.

Travel necessitates a certain degree of freedom that those living with chronic weight issues previously did not have.

The opportunity to access medical weight loss means more Brits could expand their horizons, not just as tourists but even as digital nomads whose creativity could be further expanded from exposure to more cultures.

That said, many barriers to such medications still exist. But it is only a matter of time before supply meets demand and consumer behaviours shift, positioning travel as an exciting opportunity for newly healthier people to enjoy their lives.