After a decade of curvaceousness taking center stage as the body type du jour, thin is officially back in. And unlike previous eras, seizing a ticket to this desired destination has never been easier. Weight loss injections allow the average citizen to achieve their #bodygoals in stealth mode, in a world that is more image-conscious and competitive than ever.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, better known as GLP-1 agonists or by their respective brand names, such as Ozempic or Wegovy, work by slowing the stomach’s process of emptying, lowering the level of glucose in a person’s blood, and making them feel less hungry. The first GLP-1 drug was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2005 to treat type 2 diabetes. Some also help to treat obesity and comorbid medical conditions such as high blood pressure.
These drugs are a relevant intervention because by 2050, it is predicted that two-thirds of American adults will experience obesity. Today, nearly 3 out of 4 Americans over the age of 25 are overweight or obese. Obesity is associated with a higher risk of heart and liver disease, diabetes, and other chronic health conditions, including cancer.
While the jaw-dropping results of these medications may give the impression they are a magic bullet, the research literature on side effects remains mixed. Last week, two large-scale studies were published, examining GLP-1 agonists’ associated cancer risk.
The first of the studies, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Oncology, found that GLP-1 medications led to a decreased risk of overall cancer, including endometrial, ovarian, and meningioma cancers, and a slightly elevated risk of kidney cancer. The second study, a meta-analysis of over 5 million patients, demonstrated a link between GLP-1 agonists and colorectal cancer risk. More long-term data are needed, however, to understand the mechanisms underlying these relationships and determine whether they are causal.
Other documented side effects have been “Ozempic face,” “Ozempic babies,” stomach paralysis, nausea, vomiting, and intestinal obstruction. In the United States, more than 2,000 lawsuits have been filed against drug manufacturers, with patients alleging stomach problems after taking these medications. In response, Novo Nordisk, manufacturer of Ozempic, and Eli Lilly, manufacturer of Mounjaro and Zepbound, have stated “the lawsuits are without merit,” citing “extensive clinical trial data and … post-approval monitoring” as evidence of their drugs’ safety.
Adults are free to do as they wish with their bodies, but I would argue there is a difference between using this medication out of necessity versus risking the unknown for purely cosmetic reasons. Approximately 1 in 8 U.S. adults say they have taken a GLP-1 drug, but motivations differ according to one’s age. Individuals aged 50 to 64 are more likely to report using one, but young people are more likely to use these drugs to reach their weight loss goals, and, in some cases, microdose them to avoid side effects or to make their supply last longer.
Am I the only one who thinks this is crazy? An entire generation has failed to realize what treadmills and rowing machines were made for. And what happened to body positivity? After years of being scolded by influencers and celebrities about the injustices of fatphobia, is it not an example of full-fledged hypocrisy on the part of those who disclose taking these injections (as well as those who refuse to admit they’re on them)?
Lest we forget, self-professed fat activists extolled the virtues of accepting people of all sizes (unless an individual happens to be naturally thin) in the name of fighting “patriarchy” and capitalism. But now that thinness can be achieved by everyone, never mind all that talk about self-acceptance and fighting beauty standards.
WHY BRINGING BACK THE PRESIDENTIAL FITNESS TEST IS EXACTLY WHAT AMERICA NEEDS, EVEN IF YOU HATED IT
A person who is slim because they exercise and eat well is not the same presentation as someone who is slim because they took a drug. Working out and eating healthy food may seem tedious and time-consuming, but their effects are long-lasting and require discipline, leading to a stronger sense of self.
Our culture will continue to prioritize superficiality and instant gratification. Some of our options offer easier and speedier solutions than lifestyle changes that require patience, contemplation, and effort. Everything in life comes at its own price. Difficult choices are worthwhile.
Dr. Debra Soh is a sex neuroscientist and the author of The End of Gender: Debunking the Myths About Sex and Identity in Our Society. Follow her on X @DrDebraSoh and visit DrDebraSoh.com.