Japan Obesity Society Warns Against Misuse of Diabetes Drug Mounjaro for Weight Loss
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The Japan Society for the Study of Obesity has released a statement about the diabetes drug Mounjaro. A statement is an official message given to the public.
Mounjaro is approved to treat diabetes, a condition where blood sugar levels are too high. However, it can also cause people to lose weight.
According to news reports, a growing number of young people and foreign tourists in Japan have been using the drug simply to lose weight, not to treat diabetes.
One report mentioned a person who kept using the drug even after experiencing hair loss, showing how determined some users are to stay thin.
The society's statement warns that Mounjaro should not be used for rapid weight loss or extreme dieting. Rapid means happening very quickly, and extreme means far beyond a normal or safe level.
This kind of misuse, meaning using the drug in the wrong way, has led to serious health problems for some users.
NHK reported that several people have been taken to hospital by ambulance after losing weight too fast while using the drug.
Doctors say sudden, extreme weight loss can put stress on the body and cause dangerous side effects.
The obesity society is calling on the public to understand that Mounjaro is a prescription medicine meant for diabetes treatment, not a general weight-loss product. A prescription is a doctor's written permission to use certain medicine.
They are urging people to consult a doctor before using the drug and to avoid trying to lose weight too quickly.
The warning comes amid wider concern in Japan about the misuse of diabetes and obesity medications for cosmetic weight loss, especially among younger people influenced by social trends.
Vocabulary10 words
- statement
- an official message given to the public
- diabetes
- a condition where blood sugar levels are too high
- tourists
- people visiting from another country
- rapid
- happening very quickly
- extreme
- going far beyond a normal or safe level
- misuse
- using something in the wrong way
- ambulance
- a vehicle that takes sick people to hospital quickly
- side effects
- unwanted problems caused by a medicine
- prescription
- a doctor's written permission to use certain medicine
- cosmetic
- done to improve looks, not health
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Quiz
Answer key
1. Diabetes 2. To warn against rapid weight loss and extreme dieting with the drug 3. True
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The Japan Society for the Study of Obesity has released a _____ about the diabetes drug Mounjaro.
Mounjaro is approved to treat _____, a condition where blood sugar levels are too high.
A growing number of young people and foreign _____ in Japan have been using the drug simply to lose weight.
The society's statement warns that Mounjaro should not be used for _____ weight loss or extreme dieting.
This kind of _____, meaning using the drug in the wrong way, has led to serious health problems.
NHK reported that several people have been taken to hospital by _____ after losing weight too fast.
Doctors say sudden, extreme weight loss can cause dangerous side _____.
The obesity society says Mounjaro is a _____ medicine meant for diabetes treatment, not a general weight-loss product.
They are urging people to _____ a doctor before using the drug.
The warning comes amid wider concern about the misuse of diabetes and obesity medications for _____ weight loss.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think some people use diabetes medicine just to lose weight?
- Do you think governments should control how these drugs are sold?
- Have you heard of similar weight-loss drug trends in your country?
- What are the risks of losing weight too quickly?
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