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By Crystal Simmons 02/09/2026 2 min read 7 views

The news media has been abuzz with concerns about the widespread use of GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutide, with some pundits warning of an impending anorexia nervosa epidemic. However, according to Danish researchers, the reality is more complex.

Discontinuation Rates

Nearly half of Danes prescribed semaglutide for weight loss discontinue treatment within a year, with 13% stopping as early as three months into the course of treatment.

By the end of the first year, only just over half of patients were still using semaglutide.

Aurélie Maihlac and her team gathered anonymized records from the Danish health care system’s national registry, extracting data on every adult first-time semaglutide user between December 1, 2022, and November 1, 2024.

Between late 2022 and 2024, 157,822 Danes started their first semaglutide regimen for weight loss, accounting for more than 2.6% of the population of Denmark in a 23-month period.

Demographic Factors

Women made up nearly 70% of patients, with 43% aged between 45 and 59.

Nearly 80% were middle-class, living in an area with an average disposable income between DKK 240,000 and DKK 300,000.

The drop-out rate was pretty consistent across demographic variables, but Maihlac’s team did notice a few differences.

Women were more likely to opt for semaglutide and also more likely to stick with the drug regimen for at least a year.

People aged between 18 and 29 were 1.49 times more likely to discontinue semaglutide than people 45-49.

Money had a small effect, with people with the lowest disposable income 10% more likely to stop filling prescriptions.

Implications

A quarter of drop-outs had another go a few months later, trying a different GLP-1 RA or playing around with lower doses.

This suggests that while semaglutide and similar drugs can be effective, they may not be a magic bullet for treating obesity.

GLP-1 RAs can help people change their approach to eating, but actual weight loss still depends on people changing their diet and exercise habits.

It might not be wise to put all our eggs in one basket when it comes to treating obesity.

As researchers continue to study the effects of semaglutide, it’s possible that we’ll see a shift in how we approach obesity treatment, with a greater emphasis on lifestyle changes and a more detailed understanding of the role of GLP-1 RAs, including how they drive digital transformation across healthcare.

The Danish study’s findings are a reminder that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to obesity, and that treatment plans should be tailored to individual needs and circumstances.