Weight Loss Treatments Aren’t Just for People Over 40: Breaking Down Old Stigmas

Despite what you may have heard or read: NO – weight loss medications aren’t just for middle-aged or older patients. These kinds of treatments can be useful for lots of adults and even sometimes in kids as young as 12 years old, particularly those who may be at higher risk of weight-related health conditions.

To break down some of the common reasons why people believe weight loss pills or injections are just for patients over 40, we’ve put together some information for you to explore. And while we’re at it, we’ll break down some of the old stigmas that cause patients to think this way.

SIDE NOTE: It’s important to remember that Felix only offers our telehealth services to patients over the age of 18 and living in one of our serviceable provinces within Canada.

Using weight loss treatments is not a personal failure

One of the biggest misconceptions about weight loss medications is that they’re a sign of weakness, laziness or failure. Some people still believe the only ‘real’ acceptable way to lose weight is through workouts and eating well alone.

And yet, over the last several years, we’ve learned a lot about the many factors that contribute to body size and health. Genetics and biological factors play a significant role in the size and shape of our bodies, especially as we age.

A healthy lifestyle is a great start, but for many, additional medical pathways are necessary to achieve sustainable health goals. When this occurs, weight management medications are often helpful with weight management.

Get a better understanding of how weight loss medications work

Many individuals may wait until later in life to explore medical weight management due to limited access to clear information regarding how these treatments actually work.

Weight loss treatments work in many different ways, such as by helping to slow down your body’s stomach emptying, which means it takes longer for you to digest food, you feel full sooner after starting a meal, and you stay full for longer.

Additionally, they also often reduce things like urges to snack or ‘food noise’, which causes many people to increase their food intake or make different food choices based on food cravings. There’s more to it than that, but that’s why we’ve put together other information on how weight loss treatments work.

Health benefits of starting weight loss medications earlier

Starting weight loss medications at an earlier age, when medically appropriate, may help to reduce the risk of having weight-related health issues as you get older.

Think of it this way: the earlier you start focusing on weight management, the better your health and quality of life will be as you get older. Want to talk to a healthcare practitioner about whether weight loss treatments may be appropriate for you? Submit a short online assessment.

Ways to minimize the long-term risks of using weight loss treatments

A common concern that arises from patients when discussing long-term weight loss treatments is loss of muscle mass over time.

This frequently does occur with any type of weight loss, but it is especially a concern with weight loss medications. However, in order to reduce the amount of muscle mass loss and preserve bone density, performing strength and resistance training activities is key.

This is usually recommended to be done at least 3 times per week in addition to 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise weekly. Additionally, protein intake is important.  

It’s really important to remember that weight loss injections and pills are generally safe to use, as long as you’re prescribed them by a licensed healthcare practitioner who is overseeing your treatment and has assessed if they are appropriate for you based on your medical history.

Replace embarrassment with pride

A useful way to help yourself overcome any hesitation you may have about trying weight loss treatments, due to embarrassment or shame, is to replace those feelings with pride.

Many people sacrifice their health as they age, and not addressing weight management at the appropriate time may eventually lead to impacts on their health and quality of life later in life.

Be proud of yourself for wanting to be healthier. Weight management isn’t easy, and it shouldn’t be fast. It is hard work, even when taking weight management medications alongside healthy lifestyle behaviours (i.e., nutrition, activity, sleep, etc.).

As far as we’re concerned, that’s something to be proud of.

Don’t buy into the hype – buy into the science

Another way to help yourself get past old stigmas that still exist about weight loss medications is by not buying into the hype of rumours and myths associated with these treatments that have no basis in science.

For instance, no, weight loss medications themselves will not make your face look gaunt or your skin sag. This can happen as a natural consequence of losing fat tissue, regardless of how the fat is lost.

Skin that was previously stretched sags when fat tissue that was located under the skin is lost. Losing weight can make your face look thinner… because you’re losing weight, regardless of how you are losing it. Instead of buying into this misinformation, consider spending some time looking more into the science behind why weight loss treatments work for many people.

Talk to a healthcare practitioner about any questions you may have. If you’re curious about what makes a person appropriate for weight loss medications or how to get a prescription for them, we’d encourage you to read more about the process.

When should I talk to a healthcare practitioner at Felix about considering weight loss treatments?

If you’re over the age of 18, live in one of our serviceable provinces within Canada, and you have a BMI of 30 or higher (or between 27-30 and you’re experiencing some weight-related health issues), there’s no better time than now to talk to a healthcare practitioner about whether weight loss medications could be an appropriate treatment for you.

We take into account a wide array of information, such as your gender, ethnicity, and body composition (i.e., waist circumference), so we can provide guidance for those who are also at high risk for cardio-metabolic complications that are also associated with increased body mass, so your healthcare practitioner can create a personalized treatment plan for you.

Start by filling out and submitting a short online assessment, so that one of our healthcare practitioners can review your health and medical history to determine the best treatment options available to you.

With Felix in your corner, you can take control of your weight management, health, and quality of life, so that you can get back to living life on your terms – the way it should be!