Ozempic, a weight-loss drug, has invaded popular culture. It is not only seen as a rapid, effective method for weight loss but also endorsed by celebrities in the media. Is this medication the quick-fix it is painted to be, or is it damaging health and perpetuating stigma? By Grace Cunningham
Whether or not you are immersed in health science, chances are you’ve come across ‘Ozempic’ in big, bold letters on your social media feeds and news articles. It is hard to avoid it. With a high celebrity profile, Ozempic has made itself known in pop culture. Media attention towards this weight loss medication has sparked new conversations surrounding weight among both healthcare providers and the general public.
Ozempic may be at the forefront of weight loss medication, but it is not new to pharmacology. It belongs to the Incretin class of drugs, alongside other medications such as Wegovy, Victoza, and Mounjaro. Incretins are gut hormones naturally secreted after food intake, most notably glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1). These hormones stimulate insulin secretion from the pancreas, significantly improving blood sugar management. Despite its initial treatment for type 2 diabetes, its effects extend to various organs in the body such as the liver, stomach, intestines, and the brain (Nauck & Meier, 2018). As a result, patients using GLP-1 drugs may experience a reduction in appetite, delayed gastric emptying, and heightened insulin sensitivity, ultimately resulting in weight loss. Growing public interest has led to Ozempic being used off-label for weight loss, irrespective of diabetes.
Why has this shift occurred? There are many factors that can be attributed to this change, with the biggest one being high pharmacological efficacy. Ozempic, and other Incretin drugs, not only have tolerable side effects but also promote maintenance of weight loss; a challenge of traditional diet-based methods (Mehta et al., 2016, Mann et al., 2007). Obesity is a chronic condition that cannot always rely on lifestyle modifications, and may require more intensive treatment such as pharmacotherapy or even surgery. Despite the Royal College of Physicians and World Obesity Federation advocating for the recognition of obesity as a disease within the UK, disparities in health care beliefs continue to hinder the elimination of stigma and improvement of healthcare management (Bray et al., 2017, Royal College of Physicians, 2019). As research into obesity medication advances, it is becoming increasingly important to bridge this gap.
A research study carried out in 2022 surveyed doctors and patients’ perspectives on obesity management, and the findings showed contrasting perspectives (Shahed et al., 2022). Of the 24 general physicians interviewed, 10 doctors believed that they had insufficient knowledge about obesity and 7 believed a healthy lifestyle was sufficient for weight loss. Similarly, a systematic review on dieticians’ attitudes towards obesity underscores this issue (Jung et al., 2015). 6 of the 8 studies reported prejudice by dieticians towards people with obesity; 4 studies showed the belief that people were inherently responsible for their excess weight. This prejudice is a significant issue because it overlooks additional factors that may lead to obesity such as genetics or the environment. While diet and exercise are well-established aspects of health management, they may not always be optimal solutions for those living with obesity. Moreover, fear of weight stigma or prejudice can prevent patients from seeking support or adopting healthy lifestyle behaviours, and it can also increase the risk of psychological distress (Puhl & Suh, 2015, Brown et al., 2022).Ultimately, the responsibility lies on health care providers as well as public health initiatives to help change current perspectives and work through embedded stigmatisation.
The failure to recognise obesity as a disease and the emerging popularity of weight loss medications may overshadow the long-term benefits of a healthy lifestyle. It is important to recognise that medications like Ozempic are not a quick fix, despite what may be seen on social media highlights. As with any medication, there are certain side effects including nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, and vomiting (Ozempic® Side Effects). These medications should not be viewed as replacements for a balanced diet or regular exercise. Along with the aforementioned side effects, a meta-analysis on anti-diabetic drugs (including Ozempic), observed that patients taking these drugs lost fat mass as well as muscle mass (Ida et al., 2021, Cava et al., 2017). Maintaining muscle mass and adequate protein intake is crucial for retaining healthy outcomes with Ozempic. Education on lifestyle behaviours is therefore critical alongside pharmacotherapy.
The media spotlight on Ozempic introduces a complex situation. It presents a multitude of opinions on an individual’s health and the choices they can make. It is important to remember that the practices endorsed by celebrities do not always align with the safety or efficacy of the drug for the general population. This being said, if used correctly, Ozempic could empower individuals living with obesity to regain a sense of control over their health. As the conversations around weight continue, it is important to consider their implications and acknowledge the complexity of potential treatments.
References:
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Cava, E., Yeat, N.C., Mittendorfer, B. (2017). Preserving healthy muscle during weight loss. Advances in Nutrition.
Ida, S., Kaneko, R., Imataka, K., Okubo, K., Shirakura, Y., Azuma, K., et al. (2021). Effects of antidiabetic drugs on muscle mass in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Current Diabetes Reviews.
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Nauck, M.A., Meier, J.J. (2018). Incretin hormones: Their role in health and disease. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
Ozempic® Side Effects | Ozempic® (semaglutide) injection 0.5 mg or 1 mg [Internet]. www.ozempic.com. Available from: https://www.ozempic.com/how-to-take/side-effects.html
Puhl, R., Suh, Y. (2015). Health consequences of weight stigma: Implications for obesity prevention and treatment. Current Obesity Reports.
Royal College of Physicians. (2019). RCP calls for obesity to be recognised as a disease RCP London. Available from: https://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/news/rcp-calls-obesity-be-recognised-disease
Shahed, Q., Baranowska, K., Galavazi, M.C., Cao, Y., van Nieuwenhoven, M.A. (2022). Doctors and patients’ perspectives on obesity. A Q-methodology study. Family Practice.
