Comedian Nam Hyo-na loses nearly 30kg with obesity treatment drug... "It must never be used for cosmetic purposes" [New Story]

*This content was translated by AI.

'New Story' examines the misuse of obesity treatment drugs spreading for cosmetic purposes.

According to SBS's current affairs and documentary program 'New Story', the broadcast scheduled for tomorrow, the 11th, will delve into the pros and cons of obesity treatment drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro.

Wegovy and Mounjaro, which have sparked a global frenzy and even caused shortages, are becoming a new turning point in obesity treatment. Professor Jang Hyeong-u (Prof.) of the Department of Thoracic Surgery at Bundang Seoul National University Hospital has always emphasized the importance of weight loss to patients. However, ironically, he himself was an extremely obese patient who once weighed up to 118kg. Since high school, he had no choice but to follow a Navy Headquarters diet, and eventually underwent sleeve gastrectomy, yet four years later, his weight began to rise again. It was only after receiving Wegovy that he broke free from the cycle of obesity. Professor Jang states that obesity is not an issue of willpower but a disease requiring treatment, and highly praises obesity treatment drugs as opening a new era.

Comedian Nam Hyo-na also lost nearly 30kg using an obesity treatment drug. As she shed weight, chronic diseases caused by obesity improved as well. Now that she has lost weight, she can wear the clothes she once wanted to wear without restriction, calling obesity treatment drugs a "miracle drug" that changed her life.

However, alongside success stories of obesity treatment drugs, there are also numerous cases reporting side effects. Ms. Lee Soo-jin (pseudonym), a 20-something office worker, was urgently hospitalized due to severe abdominal pain after using an obesity treatment drug for about three months and was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. Her inflammation levels soared to nearly ten times that of a healthy person, and part of her pancreas had begun to necrotize. For Ms. Soo-jin, who had no prior health issues, the medical team's warning that she could develop diabetes as a long-term consequence was terrifying in itself.

Ms. Jeong Ha-eun (pseudonym) lost 8kg with an obesity treatment drug but ultimately had to stop taking it due to worsening nausea and hair loss. However, the weight she lost returned to its original level within two months. Despite this, Ms. Ha-eun believes enduring side effects is preferable to struggling to lose weight through diet and exercise, so she recently started receiving the obesity treatment drug again.

Obesity treatment drugs are prescribed for patients with a body mass index (BMI) over 30, or those with a BMI of 27 or higher who also have comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia. However, misuse is increasing as clinics that prescribe these drugs even to individuals with normal weight—or even underweight—have emerged, so-called "holy sites" for Wegovy and Mounjaro.

Ms. Choi Yu-jin (pseudonym), who stands 160cm tall and weighs 56kg, has been receiving obesity treatment drugs for the past four months despite having a normal weight. She regularly posts updates on her blog about her weight changes and side effects, and comments asking where she obtained the prescription never cease. Although Ms. Yu-jin reached her target weight of 48kg, she continues taking the medication because she desires an even slimmer body. Experts warn that since no research has been conducted on the effects of this drug for non-obese individuals, it must absolutely not be used for cosmetic purposes.

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*This content was translated by AI.