Weight Loss Injections May Reduce Sick Leave Rates by Half, Study Finds

Islamabad – A new study has found that weight loss injections not only help in reducing obesity but may also significantly lower the rate of sick leave among patients.

According to the research, patients who were prescribed these injections showed a notable improvement in their work capacity after nine months. Sick leave due to illness decreased by 45%, while cases of long-term absences lasting five days or more dropped by 56%.

Researchers analysed 1,270 NHS patients enrolled in Oviva’s Tier 3 weight management programme. The participants were severely obese, with an average BMI of 45 at the start of the study.

By the end of nine months, the average BMI had reduced to 39. At the time of enrolment, most patients were suffering from at least three serious health conditions, with anxiety, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes being the most common.

The majority of participants were treated with semaglutide, a medication sold as Wegovy for weight loss and as Ozempic for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

After nine months of treatment, patients lost an average of 12.4% of their body weight, alongside significant improvements in overall health and reduced illness-related absenteeism.