While recent clinical studies, such as the STEP trials, confirm their efficacy and general safety, even for older adults, new research reveals that users of GLP-1 medications may face more judgment than those who don’t lose weight at all.
The clinical promise of Ozempic
The STEP trials, led by researchers like Prof. Luca Busetto of the University of Padova, have demonstrated that semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy) delivers dramatic results. In adults over 65 with obesity, it led to an average body weight reduction of 15,4% over 68 weeks, compared to just 5,1% in the placebo group. Participants also saw improvements in waist circumference, BMI, and cardiometabolic risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar control.
These findings reaffirm what many doctors already know: Ozempic works. But what these trials didn’t measure, and what doctors often don’t discuss, is the social cost of that success.
The stigma paradox: losing weight, gaining judgment
A study led by Erin Standen, assistant professor of psychological sciences at Rice University, reveals a startling truth: people who lose weight using GLP-1 medications like Ozempic are judged more harshly than those who don’t lose weight at all.
In the study, participants evaluated fictional individuals based on their weight history. The results were clear:
- GLP-1 users were viewed more negatively than those who lost weight through diet and exercise.
- Even more surprisingly, GLP-1 users were rated more harshly than individuals who had not lost any weight.
“We expected there might be some stigma around using a GLP-1. But what surprised us was the extent of it,” said Erin Standen. This stigma stems from a pervasive narrative: that using medication to lose weight is “taking the easy way out.” This belief, Standen noted, shapes how people are judged, regardless of the actual health outcomes.
The double standard of weight regain
For many, the journey doesn’t end with weight loss. Due to cost, insurance limits or side effects, many users stop taking GLP-1 medications, and weight regain is common. The study found that regaining weight, whether after using medication or lifestyle changes, invites even more criticism.
“There’s a lot of stigma tied to weight regain in general. And that doesn’t seem to depend much on how the weight was lost in the first place,” said Standen.
This double standard means that those who turn to Ozempic for help may find themselves caught in a no-win scenario: judged for using the medication, and judged again if they stop and regain weight.
The health costs of stigma
The consequences of this stigma extend beyond hurt feelings. Weight stigma has been linked to stress, avoidance of medical care, and unhealthy coping strategies. When people feel judged for their health choices, it can influence their willingness to seek care, talk openly with providers or manage their health effectively.
“If people feel judged for the choices they’re making about their health, that can influence what they’re willing to do. It can affect whether they seek care, whether they talk openly with providers and how they manage their health overall,” explained Standen.
Rethinking the narrative
As GLP-1 medications become more mainstream, Standen argues that it’s critical to address the social side of their use. The cultural script around weight and health often gets in the way of people making the best choices for themselves.
“Ultimately, any form of stigma related to someone’s body or their health choices is not helpful. People should be able to make decisions that are right for them without fear of being judged,” said Standen.
Ozempic and similar medications offer a powerful tool for weight loss and improved health, especially for older adults. For those considering or using these drugs, the message is clear: the biggest challenge may not be the medication itself, but the society that judges you for taking it.
