If only I were making up these stats, perhaps they wouldn’t be so shocking. Unfortunately, the numbers are real: According to the World Health Organization, 39% of the world’s 5 billion adults are overweight and 13% are considered obese. Sadly, America tops the list of the countries with the most obese people.1
That might explain why the global weight-loss products industry, driven heavily by U.S. dollars, is now over $260 billion and is projected to surpass $532 billion by 2032.2
Clearly, we’re not the only nation whose residents are fighting the bulge, but the U.S. population takes the cake given two-thirds of all U.S. adults are either overweight or obese according to the WHO. Mixed metaphorically speaking, America’s slice of the pie chart is more like two or three slices.
Addressing obesity is crucial in chiropractic care, as it often exacerbates musculoskeletal conditions and hinders recovery. For chiropractors, the consensus is clear: Patient outcomes would vastly improve if individuals with weight issues could lose even 20-30 pounds. The impact on joint stress, pain levels and overall health is significant.
However, the question remains: What weight-loss strategies can be integrated into chiropractic practice? The landscape is dotted with a plethora of options, varying in efficacy and complexity. Chiropractors need solutions that are not only effective, but also align with the scope of their practice and can be easily incorporated into patient care.
All time frames based on a 200 lb. woman or 300 lb. man. Individual results may vary.
It’s imperative to sift through these options with a critical eye. While some programs offer genuine health benefits, others may be fads – like the semaglutide wave that is currently happening.
There’s no shortage of news stories about diabetes drugs being used off-label to address obesity. Given that most chiropractors view pharmaceuticals as off-brand for our profession, it’s not difficult to take a hard stance, specifically against semaglutide products like Ozempic and Wegovy, which are not designed for weight loss and often cause very serious side effects.6-7 Even worse, the results are not guaranteed and take 6-12 months on average to manifest. 3-5
For the average chiropractic practice, strategies should be straightforward and easy to incorporate into their practice, not requiring extensive additional training or resources.
Additional key considerations should include a proven, turnkey marketing system, multifaceted marketing resources, free implementation and ongoing client support; and ultimately provide increased margins. If too much time or effort is required to sell it to even your existing patient base, the profits will never materialize.
Finally, to protect yourself from getting nickeled and dimed, scan the fine print for hidden fees or purchase requirements that could hinder your ability to implement the program as a profit center.
And to that end, your bonus for introducing such a program should be to enhance patient outcomes, supplement practice cash flow – and a stream of new patients that come in through the weight-loss door and convert to chiropractic patients.
Ultimately, a weight-loss program must resonate with the chiropractic philosophy of holistic, natural healing. It should empower patients to take charge of their health, complementing the chiropractic treatment they receive.
References
Ritchie H, Rosner M. Obesity. WHO Global Health Observatory, Aug. 11, 2017.
“Weight Loss Market Size to Hit US $532.5 Bn by the End of 2032.” Market Research Biz, July 11, 2023.
“How Long Do You Take Wegovy for Weight Loss?” LifeMD.com, Sept. 23, 2023.
“Lilly’s tirzepatide shows additional 21.1% weight loss after 12 weeks of intensive lifestyle intervention, for a total mean weight loss of 26.6% from study entry over 84 weeks.” Investors.Lilly.com, Oct. 15, 2023.
Apolzan JW, et al. Long-term weight loss with Metformin or lifestyle intervention in the diabetes prevention program outcomes study. Ann Intern Med, April 23, 2019.
“Possible Side Effects of Ozempic (semaglutide) Injection.” Ozempic.com.
“Wegovy: Keeping An Eye On Common Side Effects.” Wegovy.com.
While there may be no “magic bullet” when it comes to health, this should not dissuade patients or practitioners from seeking out ingredients that offer multiple health benefits. When it comes to dietary supplements, there are thousands upon thousands of choices. So, why not choose one that can address pain and assist with mental health? A supplement that can address inflammation, while also preventing certain types of cancer.
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