Galway journalist lifts the lid on weight-loss drugs in new book

By Rachel Kellaghan

A Galway journalist has launched a new book examining the growing use and potential impact of weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro.

Aimee Donnellan, a native of Knocknacarra, launched Off the Scales, in Kennys Bookshop last week.

The new book explores the positives and negatives of weight-loss medications, including their medical, social, and economic implications.

Ms Donnellan became aware of the topic while working as a financial commentator for Reuters. She noticed Novo Nordisk’s earnings increasing significantly due to demand for their weight-loss products.

While the book acknowledges the positives of weight-loss drugs for those who need them, she notes they could also have societal implications, such as the risk of “putting a big emphasis on the mindset of being thin,” said Ms Donnellan.

When talking to Galway Pulse, the author noted physical effects experienced by many users, such as “vomiting and diarrhoea.” She felt an urge to research and inform users on the effects of weight loss drugs. 

However there are clear advantages for some, “If you’re living with obesity and you have health issues, this is a no brainer for you, because it does seem to in many cases bring down inflammation, bring down cholesterol, blood sugar, all of those things that you want it to,” said Ms Donnellan.

Ms Donnellan aims to warn readers of the negative realities of the pharmaceutical industry.

“They are a really powerful pharmaceutical company, they have been around for a couple of decades. But the truth is we don’t have a huge amount of research on how they affect normally weighted people. I think that what I would say to somebody is if you really need these drugs, ask your doctor for advice,” she said.

The combined research in Off the Scale is informative yet engaging. Tom Kenny was delighted to host the launch and praised Ms Donnellan’s talent – “I picked up the book and before I knew it, I was halfway through it,” said Tom. 

The event was well supported by friends, family and guests, and Ms Donnellan said she was proud to share such important knowledge in her home community. “I’m just sort of giving something back.”