By UnderwriteMe Marketing Team Over the past year, weight loss treatment has become a major focus in the protection industry, as a growing number of people are turning to such treatment for reasons ranging from managing their weight and reducing health risks to purely cosmetic goals. On the Protection Platform, we’ve seen 739 applicants disclose taking treatment to lose weight in the last 12 months and this number continues to grow at an ever-increasing rate. Background on Obesity In the UK alone, it’s estimated 1 in 4 adults are living with obesity (NHS), a complex health concern with several different causes. Obesity elevates the risk of various health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and mental health disorders. Losing weight can be difficult for people living with obesity, as it is affected by biological, environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic factors, which is why the sudden emergence and availability of treatment has become so popular. Overview of weight loss treatment in the UK Since becoming popular in 2023 with the use of Ozempic, and more recently in 2024 with the roll out of Mounjaro, we’ve seen a rise in the use of weight loss treatment. Recent statistics show around 2.5 million people are using weight loss jabs in the UK (The Independent). In July this year, sales were 7 times more than the same period last year (The Telegraph). This data highlights the increasing need for protection providers to adapt their underwriting strategy to stay on track with such emerging developments that impact the industry. New ‘weight loss’ questions added to the Protection Platform With this trend in mind, on the 12 November 2025, we introduced 9 new questions to the Protection Platform, that insurers will use for disclosures of weight loss treatment. The purpose of these new questions is to ensure we are capturing all the necessary information for insurers to make informed and accurate decisions for individuals seeking cover, and, where possible, offer "Buy Now" decisions. At the time of writing, we see as many as 7 insurers offering “Buy-Now” subject to the answers provided. 08 WINTER PROTECT NEWSLETTER Weight Loss Treatments and Underwriting: What You Need to Know
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