Discovery Vitality’s weight management programme now includes doctor-led GLP-1 support

Discovery Vitality’s Vitality HealthyWeight programme now includes a doctor-led assessment, which may include anti-obesity medicines where clinically appropriate, to help people achieve responsible, lasting health improvements.

The launch accompanies a new Discovery Vitality white paper, Beyond Medication, which highlights the scale and persistence of obesity in South Africa and argues that sustainable weight loss requires more than medicine alone. According to the research, approximately one in two South African adults is overweight or obese. Discovery’s analysis further shows that obesity can be difficult to reverse, with 70% of people living with obesity remaining obese 15 years later.

Discovery analysis shows that people living with obesity have a 52% higher risk of mortality compared with those whose weight is in the healthy range, underscoring the substantial long-term health consequences of excess weight.

“Obesity is not simply a lifestyle issue. It is a chronic disease that often becomes harder to reverse over time,” said Dinesh Govender, CEO of Discovery Vitality. “Our analysis found that 70% of people living with obesity remained obese 15 years later, highlighting the persistence of the condition once established. The opportunity is to intervene earlier and provide people with the support they need to prevent obesity from becoming a persistent health issue for them.”

A breakthrough in medical treatment, but a new challenge emerges

The emergence of modern GLP-1 medicines has transformed obesity treatment, delivering average weight loss of approximately 12% to 18% in clinical studies, bringing non-surgical outcomes closer to those historically associated with bariatric surgery.

Demand has surged accordingly. Discovery data show that the number of members using modern GLP-1 medicines has increased roughly threefold since 2022.

Yet the white paper warns that weight loss alone does not guarantee long-term health outcomes.

Real-world evidence suggests many patients discontinue treatment within a year, while Discovery’s own data show that members typically stop claiming for GLP-1 medicines after fewer than six months.

Research further shows that around two-thirds of the weight lost may be regained within a year of discontinuing treatment, highlighting the challenge of sustaining long-term results once medication stops.

“These medicines have redefined what is possible for people living with obesity,” said Dr Mosima Mabunda, Chief Clinical Officer of Discovery Vitality. “The question is no longer whether meaningful weight loss can be achieved, but how to help people sustain it. Obesity is a chronic disease that requires long-term management. While medication can be highly effective, the greatest and most lasting health benefits come when it is paired with evidence-based nutrition, physical activity and behavioural support.”

Introducing the Vitality HealthyWeight medicated pathway

The expanded Vitality HealthyWeight programme is designed around this integrated approach. To support informed clinical decision-making, eligible members may receive an initial dietitian consultation, pathology tests and a doctor’s consultation at no cost to the member.

The programme combines:

• Independent doctor-led clinical assessment and oversight
• Access to anti-obesity medicines for eligible members
• Dietitian-led nutrition coaching
• Personalised behaviour-change support
• Physical activity guidance
• Ongoing monitoring and follow-up

For members who meet the clinical criteria, generally a BMI of 30 or above, or a BMI of 27 or above with weight-related health conditions, independent healthcare professionals may consider anti-obesity medicines where clinically appropriate as part of a structured, evidence-based weight management approach.

All clinical assessments, treatment recommendations, and prescribing decisions are made independently by qualified healthcare professionals exercising their own clinical judgment.

Early results point to the value of integrated support

Findings from Discovery Vitality’s HealthyWeight medicated pathway pilot suggest that combining structured lifestyle support with clinically relevant medication may significantly improve outcomes.

In addition to the significant weight loss expected from a GLP-1 programme, participants increased healthy food purchases by 46%, reduced unhealthy food purchases by 25%, and increased achievement of weekly physical activity goals by 34%.

“Our focus is not short-term weight loss,” said Dinesh Govender. ” Our goal is to build healthy habits that support sustainable health improvement. The evidence increasingly shows that the greatest value comes when medicine is combined with the right support system around the individual.”

Members can enrol in Vitality HealthyWeight from R295 per month.

Making obesity care more accessible

While a new generation of anti-obesity medicines has transformed what is clinically possible, affordability remains a significant challenge. The high cost of these treatments continues to limit access for many South Africans, highlighting the need for sustainable funding solutions that balance innovation, clinical value and long-term affordability.

Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS), which provides funding for GLP-1 medicines for eligible members meeting specific clinical criteria, has previously noted that broader access to these medicines will require significant price reductions and ongoing collaboration across the healthcare ecosystem to develop more sustainable funding models.

Discovery Corporate & Employee Benefits recognises the significant investment and lifestyle commitment required to achieve sustainable weight loss, and has launched WeightCare: a new reward whereby all Discovery Group Risk members enrolled in Vitality’s HealthyWeight medicated pathway can now earn up to 10,000 Discovery Miles per month by achieving their Vitality Active Rewards goals. This enhancement rewards the healthy behaviours that underpin long-term weight management success, while also making innovative GLP-1 treatments more accessible and affordable for qualifying Group Risk members, reducing the effective cost of therapy by up to 50%.

“The clinical advances we have seen in obesity treatment are extremely encouraging, but cost remains one of the biggest barriers to access,” said Nonku Pitje, CEO of Discovery Corporate & Employee Benefits. “While obesity is increasingly recognised as a chronic disease requiring long-term management, many of the newest therapies remain out of reach for a large proportion of South Africans. Expanding access will require a combination of greater affordability, innovative reward models and a continued focus on helping people achieve sustainable health outcomes through integrated care.”