Do People Who Take GLP-1s to Lose Weight Feel Stigmatized?

It seemed like a miracle. Lose weight fast and keep it off with a pill. But there’s always a caveat. Apparently people who take Wegoby and Ozempic are feeling stigmatized. People look down on them.

Studies show that those who lose with the help of medication feel judged, while those who take the weight off through diet and exercise are heralded.

The results were startling:

“In Study 1, the GLP-1 target was evaluated more negatively than the diet/exercise target and the no weight loss target. Participants’ willingness to affiliate differed significantly across groups (p < 0.001), with the GLP-1 target receiving significantly lower ratings compared to the diet/exercise target (Mean difference = 0.52, 95% CI [0.27, 0.76]) and the no weight loss target (Mean difference = 0.26, 95% CI [0.02, 0.51]). In Study 2, the GLP-1 and diet/exercise targets were evaluated similarly, and both were rated more negatively than the target who maintained weight loss (ps ≤ 0.001).”

I get it. Those who went down dress sizes using a weight loss drug were viewed negatively. But why? And how do you even know if someone was even taking a GLP-1?

I had this conversation with my son the other day. I was telling him about this picture I saw of a celebrity who we know is taking weight loss medication. And previously, she had shed the lbs with good old-fashioned diet and exercise.

I said her weight loss looks different this time after using Ozempic. I couldn’t put my finger on why it was such a stark contrast from her last weight loss journey.

My son pointed out that Wegovy and Ozempic help you shed pounds faster. That’s why we notice it more. The difference in her frame was more dramatic.

Could be. Or the fact that she is older this time around, so weight loss obviously looks different.

So, if you take a GLP-1, should you lie? Or at least not admit to the fact that you needed help and counting steps wasn’t going to cut it?

In this Reddit thread, a woman who was on a weight loss drugs stayed silent while her friends openly ostracized those who chose that route:

“I had lunch with two good friends today and some newer friends joined us. I’m down 44 lbs but no one in the group knows I’m on zepbound. The topic of Ozempic came up — one of the newer friends was complaining about celebrities using Ozempic. Suddenly everyone at the table joined her. I stayed silent and just had a very uncomfortable moment. They were all complaining about it. I felt so uncomfortable— I’ve never encountered this type of GLP-1 stigma before. I’m still thinking about it and frankly just don’t understand it. I think I just wanted to share with people who would get it.”

I loved this person’s answer:

“Weight loss and weight in general is always so stigmatized. I’ve never understood it. Can’t make them happy when I’m fat. Can’t make them happy when I’m skinny.”

Another poster suggested that maybe people who can’t afford a GLP-1, or who’s insurance doesn’t cover it, are simply jealous.

I agree with that assumption. I lost 15 pounds about 10 years ago, and some people were truly proud of me, while others made snide remarks. And I lost it through diet and exercise. Of course, because Ozempic wasn’t even around then.

So, my advice is: Stop caring what other people think! I know, easier said than done.

And I realize, no matter what you do, people will be jealous or try to make you feel bad about your accomplishments, because they are so miserable in their own lives.

Do what you need to to get the weight off and stay healthy. The only person’s opinion that should matter is your doctor’s, and your own.