Rising Demand for Weight-Loss Medication in Croatia

The news in Croatian

1. potražnja  (f.)
   Kada mnogi žele kupiti ili nabaviti neku robu ili uslugu. ↩︎
2. regulirati
   Urediti ili uspostaviti ravnotežu. ↩︎
3. savjetovati
   Dati prijedloge ili uputstva nekome. ↩︎
4. uzimanje  (n.)
   Radnja kojom se nešto uzima ili prihvaća. ↩︎
5. prehrana  (f.)
   Način na koji se netko ili nešto hrani ili opskrbljuje hranom. ↩︎
6. tjelovježba  (f.)
   Tjelesna aktivnost za održavanje ili poboljšanje zdravlja. ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: What do Ozempic and Saxenda help with in Croatia?

Question 2: What do doctors recommend trying before taking weight-loss medication?

Vocabulary

Croatian	English
potražnja  (f.)	demand
regulirati	regulate
savjetovati	advise
uzimanje  (n.)	taking
prehrana  (f.)	nutrition
tjelovježba  (f.)	exercise

Read the full story

The demand for medication originally intended for type 2 diabetes that also assists with weight loss has surged in Croatia. According to the Croatian Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices (HALMED), the issuance of these drugs, such as semaglutide (marketed as Ozempic) and liraglutide (marketed as Saxenda), increased by 28% from 2023 to 2024. Analysts expect further growth driven by the introduction of Wegovy, a semaglutide approved solely for weight management.

These medications, which help regulate blood sugar and reduce appetite, are typically prescribed to individuals with a body mass index (BMI) over 30 or between 27 and 29 if additional health risks like prediabetes, hypertension, or cardiovascular issues are present. Although primarily approved for diabetes management, an increased trend in their use for weight loss is evident due to the rise in prescription rates, unrelated to a significant increase in diabetes cases. Health records showed a minor jump from 395,000 diabetes patients in 2023 to 396,000 in 2024.

Endocrinologist Kristina Blaslov explains that the uptick can be attributed to changes in prescribing criteria, allowing these drugs, which are based on hormones from the digestive tract influencing appetite and digestion, to be used for obesity as well. She notes the popularity of semaglutide-based drugs over liraglutide-based ones, potentially due to the simpler once-weekly dosage of semaglutide compared to the daily injections required for liraglutide.

However, this growing preference for medicinal intervention sparks a discussion about the importance of lifestyle choices. Blaslov stresses that before resorting to medication, especially for individuals with a BMI near 27 to 28, adopting a healthy diet and exercise regime should be a priority. She warns of the potential plateau effect where weight loss stalls with prolonged medication use, which might be overcome by switching treatments.

Nutritionist Darija Vranešić Bender concurs, highlighting that these drugs should not replace adequate nutrition. She advises a nutrient-dense, calorie-conscious diet including adequate protein and fibre intake to support weight loss and maintain muscle mass and bone density. Care must be taken not to underestimate caloric intake to the point of nutrient deficiencies, which can be exacerbated by potential gastrointestinal side effects of these medications.

Missteps such as skipping meals or continuing unhealthy eating habits, believing medication alone will suffice, risk nutritional gaps and weight regain post-treatment. Vranešić Bender emphasizes that the ultimate goal should be sustainable weight loss through long-term healthy habits rather than reliance solely on pharmacological aids.

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