Sociodemographic and socioeconomic differences in the use of anti-obesity medications: a register study among 282,307 Finnish adults.

Abstract

The use of anti-obesity medications (AOMs) has remarkably increased in recent years globally, yet little is known about how sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors are associated with their use in Finland or in any Nordic countries. This study examined these associations in a large Finnish adult population group. The study population included 282,307 individuals (67% women, age range 18-99 years at the end of the study period in 2025), who were employed by the City of Helsinki at any time during 1990-2025. Information on individuals' sex and age was obtained from the personnel register, while education, occupational class, and labor market status were derived from the registers of Statistics Finland. Data on the use of reimbursed and non-reimbursed AOMs (2012-25) were obtained from the registers of the Social Insurance Institution of Finland. We used logistic regression analyses to examine the associations. During the study period (2012-2025), 4.8% of the study population had used AOMs and 1.3% had used reimbursable AOMs. Women, midlife and older individuals, those with higher occupational class, and employed individuals had higher odds of using AOMs, while men, those with lower occupational class, and students had lower odds. However, individuals with lower education, those from lower occupational class, and pensioners had higher odds of using reimbursable AOMs. Women had higher odds of using reimbursable AOMs due to obesity diagnosis but not due to type 2 diabetes diagnosis compared to men. AOM use was unevenly distributed in the study population, and reimbursement status was closely linked to the sociodemographic and socioeconomic differences in the AOM use. These differences should be considered in the design and development of weight management and obesity treatment guidelines and national medication reimbursement systems.