Share your views on weight loss medications in Scotland

Obesity Action Scotland are hosting a focus group to hear your views on GLP-1 medicines.

Obesity Action Scotland is inviting adults (aged 18+) living in Scotland to take part in a focus group exploring people’s views and experiences of GLP-1 medicines (sometimes called weight loss injections or medications) for weight management.

There is already good evidence about how these medicines work in clinical settings. Through this public engagement work, we want to better understand people’s perceptions and experiences of these treatments in everyday life – how people understand and view weight loss medications, how they access them, the impact they have on everyday life and households, and what support is needed.  

The findings will help improve understanding of people’s experiences and inform future policy and support relating to healthy weight in Scotland.

Who can take part?

You may be able to take part if you:

• Are aged 18 or over.
• Live in Scotland.
• Identify as living with overweight or obesity, or have experience of discussing your body weight, body size or weight-related health with a healthcare professional.

You do not need to have used a GLP-1 medicine to take part. We welcome a range of perspectives from people who have used these medications, considered using them, decided not to use them, or simply have views or experiences they would like to share.

Who are we?

Obesity Action Scotland is a national third-sector organisation dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by overweight and obesity. We work alongside people with lived experience to influence policy, reduce weight stigma and improve access to affordable, healthier food for all. This includes improving access to weight loss support. We believe lived experience should shape policy and services, which is why we’re inviting people to share their views.

What’s involved?

Participants will attend a 90-minute focus group where they can share their views and experiences in a respectful, non-judgemental and confidential environment. We will facilitate the discussion sensitively, and there are no right or wrong answers — we’re interested in hearing a range of experiences and perspectives.

• In-person sessions (with an online option available if needed)
• The project team will treat what you share confidentially, and any quotations used in reports will be anonymised.
• Participants can choose not to answer any question or leave the discussion at any time
• Participants will receive a £25 voucher as a thank you for taking part

Why take part?

By taking part, you’ll help ensure that people’s real-life experiences are reflected in future discussions about weight loss medications in Scotland. You’ll help us better understand:

• People’s perceptions and experiences of GLP-1 medicines
• How treatment affects everyday life, including household budgets and purchasing behaviours.
• How people have experienced accessing weight loss medications in Scotland
• What information and support people need during and beyond the use of medications
• How future policy and services could be improved

Whether your experience has been positive, negative or mixed, or you are simply interested in this topic, your perspective is valuable.

Interested?

If you’d like to find out more or are interested in taking part, please contact the project lead, Dr Ellys Feather: ellys.feather@obesityactionscotland.org

Please feel free to share this opportunity with anyone in your networks who may be interested in taking part.

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