As New Year’s resolutions kick into high gear, weight loss goals top many people’s lists.
Like clockwork, advertisements for weight loss programs and supplements are popping up on social media, ready to pounce on the demand.
The weight loss drug market is exploding, with new products entering the scene to compete with big names like Ozempic.
The medications’ promise of weight loss without a complete lifestyle overhaul has sparked hope and controversy, and the market shows no signs of slowing down.
How shame boosted GLP-1 drugs Fat-shaming is not a new concept.
Weight loss objectives are at the top of many people’s lists as New Year’s resolutions get underway. Weight loss program and supplement ads are appearing on social media like clockwork, ready to capitalize on the demand.
The market for weight loss medications is growing rapidly, and new products are joining the fray to take on well-known brands like Ozempic. Given the millions of people who suffer from obesity, PCOS, and diabetes worldwide, this is not surprising.
The drugs’ claims of helping people lose weight without drastically changing their lifestyles have generated controversy and optimism, and the market is growing. Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and other GLP-1 medications have revolutionized the treatment of obesity and have been linked to a 25% reduction in weight-loss surgeries. Analysts predict the market could reach $200 billion by 2031, with 16 new medications expected to hit the market in the upcoming years, according to Reuters.
The cost, possible adverse effects, and role of GLP-1 medications in an all-encompassing approach to managing obesity are topics of continuous discussion.
Additionally, the expanding market has exposed societal attitudes that include complex layers of stigma and misinterpretation.
How GLP-1 drugs were enhanced by shame.
The practice of “fat-shaming” is not new. Dietitian and Bravespace Nutrition owner Katherine Metzelaar stated, “Fatphobia and anti-fatness are so ingrained in western society in how we think about body size, health, and self-worth.”. Being slender is perceived as a sign of beauty, self-control, and discipline, whereas being overweight is frequently unjustly associated with indolence or a lack of self-control. “,”.
According to her, “it all leads to this idea that fat people are somehow less deserving of respect or dignity.”. “Diet culture also contributes significantly to this, leading people to assume that those with larger bodies are simply not making an effort, which results in the derision and disdain we witness. “.”.
The phrase “Ozempic shaming” was coined to characterize the unfavorable opinions that people who take GLP-1 medications for weight control encounter. Drug use, according to some detractors, is like “taking a shortcut,” ignoring the many variables that lead to obesity.
Dr. Dr. Raj Dasgupta, chief medical advisor for Garage Gym Reviews, stated, “Some people believe that weight loss must be difficult to be’real’ or ‘earned’ and consider things like surgery or medication as taking shortcuts.”. This idea ignores the difficulty of those choices and the fact that every person’s path is unique. This antiquated way of thinking oversimplifies a very complex problem. “.
Licensed clinical social worker Joshua Collins of SOBA New Jersey stated that “drugs like Ozempic (Semaglutide) help address underlying metabolic and hormonal issues, such as insulin resistance and appetite regulation.”. “.”.
He stated, “They’re tools, not shortcuts, much like using medication to manage high blood pressure or diabetes.”. “Criticizing someone for using Ozempic perpetuates negative stereotypes about effort and health and shows a lack of understanding of weight science. “.”.
“Criticizing someone for utilizing Ozempic perpetuates negative stereotypes about effort and health and shows a lack of understanding of weight science.”.
Moreover, GLP-1 rivals use shame.
The remainder of the weight loss industry has attempted to take advantage of this criticism by undervaluing GLP-1 drugs in their marketing strategies. Advertisements call over-the-counter supplements “Nature’s Ozempic” and caution that “GLP-1 medications are effective but expensive.”. “.
With taglines like “This is NOT Ozempic, but Your Metabolism Will Love It,” “Ozempic Power In a Capsule,” and “Works 3x Faster than Ozempic,” some advertisements claim that “my doctor thinks I am being scammed.”. “.”.
Dr. GLP-1 drugs have risks and benefits like any other treatment, according to Michael Chichak, medical director of the mental health clinic MEDvidi. However, he claimed that “misinformation and fear-mongering are done to further a certain agenda.”. “.
According to experts, this may deter people from getting treatment at all. Many patients might experience pressure to defend their treatment decisions, which can impair their general wellbeing by causing stress and feelings of inadequacy. According to Dr. Rehka Kumar, chief medical officer at the online weight loss program Found, treating obesity as a moral failing rather than a medical condition has been “immensely harmful to patient care.”.
“The weight loss industry already exploits people by marketing their product with fear and shame, which are known to be more emotional triggers, rather than scientific evidence.”.
“When patients are shamed for using evidence-based treatments, whether it’s bariatric surgery or anti-obesity medications, it deeply disturbs me as a doctor,” Kumar stated. This results from the incorrect but enduring belief that willpower determines body weight. Genetic, environmental, hormonal, and neurological factors all play a role in regulating weight, according to science. Insurance coverage for obesity treatment is denied at rates three to four times higher than those for other chronic conditions, and less than 10% of eligible patients are offered evidence-based medical treatments for weight management. These biases lead to subpar care. “,”.
Experts said that in order to combat the stigma, there needs to be more education and awareness regarding the valid medical uses of these drugs as well as evidence-based, individualized care that respects the patient’s dignity and takes into account their particular goals and circumstances.
