Are weight loss jabs a threat to our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit?

On the 4th September last year a nurse died as a result of taking two low dose injections of tirzepatide, known under the brand name Mounjaro. A copy of her death certificate was shared with the BBC; amongst the list of contributing factors was “the use of prescribed tirzepatide”. Whilst we do not know enough about the long-term health effects of being on these drugs, we do know that they can lead to vision changes, pancreatitis, kidney failure and gallbladder disease.

In the face of an eating disorder epidemic in the UK, and with such dangerous side effects, why has the Secretary of State included the need for weight-loss jabs in the NHS 10-year plan?

If you had looked at my google history when I was a teenager, my search engine was packed full of ‘how to lose weight?

If you had looked at my Google search history when I was a teenager, it was packed full of: ‘How to lose weight?’, ‘How can I lose X in X days?’ ‘Drugs to help me lose weight.’ I would have spent any amount of money to access drugs, I would have lied my way through online assessments to get them and I would have been convinced that none of the named side effects would ever happen to me. At this point in my life, I was in the grip of anorexia.

READ MORE: While body positivity is important, clinical obesity is a disease – is weight-loss medication a healthy solution?

The reality is weight loss jabs are already harming people with eating disorders and they will continue to do so.

An open letter was launched on Wednesday 7th July which calls on the UK Government to suspend the widescale rollout of weight-loss drugs until full impact assessments have been completed, particularly regarding mental health and eating disorder prevalence.

We are asking the government to reframe public health messaging to prioritise wellbeing, nutrition education, and physical activity for enjoyment and health, not weight loss. Also we want them to ensure that all prevention of obesity programs are coordinated with prevention of eating disorder programs and include relevant stakeholders and people with lived experience and to meet with the #DumpTheScales campaign group.

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The letter highlights staggering statistics stating that more than half of people on weight loss jabs discontinue them after 6 months. 

The letter highlights analysis from Oxford University which looked at 11 studies of weight loss jabs and found that nearly everyone who came off the drugs, regained the weight they lost, within 10 months. These drugs are a quick-fix and do not tackle the social determinants of obesity like poverty, lack of access to green spaces or affordable healthy food and fuel to cook with.

READ MORE: Time to break free from damaging diet culture and listen to what Jesus says about our bodies

But as Christians, where does this leave us? Are weight-loss drugs viewed as something so risky that they could harm our bodies which we have been told to look after, as they are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19)? Or are individuals looking for a quick fix in a fatphobic society trying to make themselves fit in with what society wants? Or, do they promote the goal of meeting cultural beauty standards and if so, then surely this is something we need to be mindful of? 

There have been so many times in my life when I have felt wrong in myself. When I thought if I changed my outward appearance I would feel better about everything. But even when I did change myself, it still wasn’t enough. I don’t have the answers here and I am not at the end point of accepting myself completely but what I do know is weight loss jabs won’t fix out emotional needs.

You can sign the open letter here.