Ozempic, weight loss and the nutrition information behind the drug

Dr Courtney Stewart joined Tim Webster for Breakfast on 2SM to discuss Ozempic and the Heart Foundation’s guidance on weight loss medications, exploring how these drugs fit alongside dietary and lifestyle change.

During the interview, Dr Stewart explained that while GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, originally developed for diabetes, do produce meaningful weight loss outcomes, the longer-term results depend on what happens around the medication. She discussed why many people regain weight after stopping the drug, particularly when underlying dietary and lifestyle patterns haven’t shifted.

The segment explored the food environment driving rising rates of obesity in Australia, including the increased availability and affordability of ultraprocessed foods, the role of convenience eating, and how consumers can navigate supermarket shelves more confidently by reading nutrition information panels and ingredient lists. Dr Stewart also pointed to the healthier convenience options now available – from pre-prepared salads to microwaveable brown rice – as practical tools for time-poor consumers.

She also addressed the importance of medical supervision and dietitian involvement when using weight loss medications, noting risks including loss of lean muscle mass, reduced bone density, and nutritional deficiencies when these drugs are used without proper support.

This feature highlights Courtney’s expertise in nutrition science, food environments and the dietary considerations surrounding emerging weight loss treatments, and her ability to translate complex clinical and behavioural topics into practical insights for consumers.

Listen to the full radio interview here from 1:15:00.

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