Obesity Care: The Benefits Beyond the Scale

Obesity Care: The Benefits Beyond the Scale  

What happens when you treat obesity as the chronic illness it is?

New patient data from over 1,300 patients in Yazen's treatment shows results that extend far beyond weight loss. These include fewer sick days, better self-confidence, more energy in working life, reduced alcohol consumption, an improved relationship with food, and much more.

The new data suggests that modern obesity treatment not only affects weight but also function and quality of life to an extent that is rarely highlighted.

“I’ve Tried Everything” – The Shared Experience

This experience is clearly reflected in Yazen’s own pan-European patient survey, which was conducted at the start of the year. The survey was answered by 1,346 active patients who had been in treatment for at least six months in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain.

The sometimes lifelong frustration of not being able to lose weight – regardless of diet or tactic – is one of the clearest results in the survey. In the patient group, 64 per cent stated that they had tried three or more diets before starting their treatment with Yazen, and 36 per cent answered that they had “lost count” of how many times they had tried to lose weight.

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“It's been going round and round for most of my life. I've tried everything possible to lose weight, but nothing has worked. I lost a few isolated kilos and then put them back on again,” says Christel Lind, 58.

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At the same time, 22 per cent of patients felt that seeking help through a healthcare centre was not an option. The reason for this may be the difficulties that many people living with obesity experience when seeking care. 15 per cent had previously been told that they did not qualify for medical treatment. Twelve per cent stated that they had previously sought help but had not received sufficient support regarding the medical treatment. For example, they had not been given knowledge about dosage or side effects.

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“The survey shows that the patients did not lack motivation or the will to change their situation. What they lacked was accessible, structured, and long-term care and support,” says David Buchebner,” Chief Medical Officer at Yazen.

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Fact: For many respondents, Yazen was not their first attempt at weight loss.

• 64% had tried three or more diets
• 36% said they had “lost count”
• 22% felt going to a GP was not an option
• 15% were told they did not qualify for medication
• 12% sought help but did not receive sufficient support around dosing or side effects

Patients describe feeling dismissed, unsupported or left to manage a chronic disease alone.

Yazen combines medical treatment, lifestyle coaching and long-term digital follow-up. The survey findings suggest that structured, continuous care may be the missing piece many patients have previously lacked.

When Treatment Is About More Than Weight

90 per cent of respondents state that they have lost more than 10 kilos. However, the survey shows that weight is only one part of the overall picture. When patients themselves describe what has changed, a broader pattern emerges. 77 per cent state that they feel emotionally better today than before the treatment, 66 per cent report increased self-confidence, and 65 per cent describe having more energy in everyday life. At the same time, 63 per cent say they have become more physically active, and 48 per cent state that their emotional eating has decreased.

“It's almost impossible to describe how much better it feels today. Those extra kilos I carried around, they did something to me. Of course, they affected my body, but they also did something to how I saw myself. They affected my self-esteem, they affected how I moved and how I thought. They affected more or less everything in life,” says patient Carina Jansson, 67.

The figures show that when the biological drivers behind obesity are treated, changes also occur that positively affect both everyday life and mental health.

Facts: While 90% of respondents report losing more than 10 kg, the most powerful changes extend beyond the scale.

• 77% feeling emotionally better
• 66% increased self-confidence
• 65% more energy
• 63% increased physical activity
• 48% reduced emotional eating

These findings reinforce a central principle: obesity is not a character flaw. It is a chronic disease requiring structured, long-term management. When the biological drivers are treated, improvements cascade into mental wellbeing, energy levels and everyday functioning.

Quieter in the Head – A Changed Relationship with Food

One of the most recurring descriptions in Yazen’s patient survey concerns the relationship with food. Many patients describe previously feeling things like constant hunger, strong cravings, and a lack of control connected to food. But the medical treatment helps many with this.

In the patient data, 74 per cent report experiencing fewer cravings and 67 per cent experience better appetite control. 72 per cent state that they feel more in control around food, and 60 per cent describe having reduced their intake of ultra-processed foods.

“Many patients have lived for years with the experience of constantly having to resist their own body. When the appetite signals are stabilised, they often describe it becoming quieter in their head, says David Buchebner,” Chief Medical Officer at Yazen.

The silencing of the so-called “food noise” is central, as it indicates that the treatment is not solely based on restrictions but on a change in biological mechanisms that makes it easier to maintain healthy behaviours over time.

Facts: One of the most consistent themes in the survey is a shift in the relationship with food.

• 74% fewer cravings
• 67% better appetite control
• 60% reduced intake of ultra-processed foods
• 72% feeling more in control around food
  Key messages from patient survey

Rather than relying on restrictive dieting or willpower alone, patients describe a more balanced and sustainable approach to eating. Addressing the biological mechanisms behind obesity appears to facilitate behavioural change naturally.

When Health Improves Working Life

The survey also shows that the effects of the treatment affect more things in everyday life, such as working life. 24 per cent of patients report having fewer sick days, corresponding to an average of 5.2 days per year. 39 per cent state that they feel more energetic at work, 33 per cent that they feel greater professional self-confidence, and 16 per cent that their work performance has improved.

An example of this is patient Sanna Lundström, 37, who, due to arthritis in her lower back, needed to take strong medicines to manage her working days. Today, 30 kilos lighter, a large part of the pain has disappeared.

“I used to have to take morphine. Today I take a paracetamol or two if I get a migraine. It’s an enormous difference,” she says.

Obesity treatment is not only an individual health issue but can have consequences for productivity and sickness absence for both the individual and at a societal level.

“These results show that effective weight management extends far beyond physical health effects. Our patients experience truly transformative improvements in their professional lives and feel greater job satisfaction, says David Buchebner,” Chief Medical Officer at Yazen.

Facts: Health improvements translate into professional life.

• 24% experiencing fewer sick days, corresponding to an average of 5.2 days saved per year
• 39% feeling more energetic at work
• 33% feeling more confident professionally
• 16% reporting improved job performance

These findings highlight that obesity treatment is not merely a personal health intervention. It has measurable implications for productivity, workplace wellbeing and broader societal costs.

Changed Habits Affect the Economy

A common notion is that modern obesity treatment involves increased costs, for treatment and medication. However, Yazen’s patient data shows that changed behaviours simultaneously affect household finances in the opposite direction in many cases. Among the answers, it is visible that 72 per cent spend less on snacks, 49 per cent less on takeaways, and 40 per cent less on restaurant visits.

On average, patients report saving approximately 110 euros per month on food and 54 euros per month on other care and medication.

Lifestyle changes that occur in connection with treatment can thus reduce several costs. This challenges the previous narrative that modern treatment for obesity and overweight is an economic burden.

Facts: Contrary to common assumptions that obesity medication increases overall living costs, patients report financial benefits associated with behavioural change.

On average, respondents report saving:

• €110 per month on food
• €54 per month on other medicine and healthcare (excluding weight-loss medication)

72% spend less on snacks, 49% spend less on takeaways, and 40% spend less eating out.

These findings challenge the perception that modern obesity treatment is solely an expense. For many patients, improved habits reduce other costs.

Unexpected Ripples

Yazen’s patient data also shows effects that are rarely highlighted in traditional studies of obesity. A clear example is alcohol consumption. After starting treatment, 40 per cent of patients state that they drink less alcohol, and 7 per cent that they have stopped completely. Among those who have reduced their consumption, 24 per cent state that they feel healthier, 17 per cent that they sleep better, and 15 per cent that they are more focused on their life goals.

This suggests that when the appetite and reward systems are affected, other habits can also change, leading to broader health effects than just weight loss.

Facts: The survey also explored alcohol consumption, an area often overlooked in obesity treatment research.

After joining Yazen:

• 40% report drinking less alcohol
• 7% no longer drink alcohol at all
• 33% report no change

Among those who reduced consumption, patients report tangible benefits:

• 24% feel healthier
• 17% sleep better
• 15% are more focused on life goals

Reduced alcohol intake appears not to be a temporary trend but part of a broader lifestyle shift.

Interestingly, lifestyle changes also influence preferences: patients increasingly report wishing for experiences, hobbies or gym memberships rather than consumable gifts such as alcohol or sweets.

Self-Image, Relationships, and Quality of Life

The effects of the treatment are also noticeable in relationships and self-esteem. In Yazen’s patient survey, 24 per cent state that they feel more sexually attractive, and 23 per cent that they feel more self-assured with their partner.

Of those surveyed, 16 per cent feel closer to their partner and 10 per cent feel more sexually active today compared to when they started treatment.

Even though half do not report any change in their love life, the figures show that improved health can affect things like self-esteem and self-image.

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Facts: Half of patients report no change in their love life. However, a significant proportion experience positive relational shifts:

• 24% feel more sexually attractive
• 23% feel more confident with their partner
• 16% feel closer to their partner
• 10% report being more sexually active

Improved health and self-confidence appear to influence intimacy and relational wellbeing for many individuals.

Major Medical Development – But Stigma Remains

Despite the reported improvements, many patients are not open about their treatment. In Yazen’s survey, only 24 per cent state that they always talk about it, while 49 per cent talk about it sometimes and 27 per cent never. 39 per cent cite fear of being judged as a reason, the same number worry that the medical treatment may be perceived as taking a shortcut. 45 per cent of patients fear backlash due to the negative media attention.

The patient survey shows that even though medical development is moving fast, societal stigma still remains. Several of the patients Yazen has spoken to in follow-up interviews say they hope that more knowledge about obesity and the medical treatments for the illness will be spread. And that this can hopefully change society’s view in the long term on people living with obesity and the medicines that help them to lead a healthier life.

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Facts: Despite these improvements, stigma surrounding obesity treatment persists. Only 24% of patients report always being open about their medication use. 49% share it sometimes, while 27% never disclose it.

Why?

• 39% fear judgement
• 39% fear being perceived as taking a shortcut
• 45% fear backlash driven by media controversies
• 74% consider it a private matter

Although 30% report experiencing less stigma since starting treatment, these figures demonstrate that social attitudes remain a significant barrier.

Treating obesity is not cheating. It is evidence-based healthcare.

A Paradigm Shift in the View of Obesity

Yazen’s patient data from 2026 illustrates a major shift, both in how obesity can be understood and treated. When the illness is managed as a chronic biological illness rather than a matter of discipline and morals, more areas are affected than just body weight. For many patients, the treatment is about regaining energy, counteracting complications linked to being overweight, reducing psychological burden, improving work ability, and creating long-term changes in everyday life and quality of life.

“It is a clear sign that obesity is not an individual failing. It is a chronic illness and when it is treated as such, the effects can be both broad and profound,”  says David Buchebner.

About the Research

‍This research surveyed over 1,352 active Yazen patients across Sweden, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Denmark, with data collection completed in January 2026. Results underwent standardized statistical analysis and independent medical expert review. The study aims to advance understanding of real-world outcomes and patient experiences with contemporary weight management treatments.

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