Making Sense of Ozempic
It’s so difficult to avoid the constant barrage of weight loss messaging coming from diet culture. Most recently, certain weight loss "“miracle” drugs have been getting a lot of media attention. You may have heard of the medications Ozempic or Wegovy (same medication called semaglutide, two different brand names). Semaglutide was initially approved by the FDA for its use in adults with type 2 diabetes. Lately, these drugs have been getting tons of attention for their use as weight loss aids.
As anti-diet, Health At Every Size® -aligned providers, we wanted to share some anti-diet perspectives and information on these weight loss drugs. As is typical of dieter’s tools and diet culture, these medications make huge claims about their promises of weight loss, but what’s the real story? These articles and podcasts take a critical look at the research and can help tune out some of the diet culture noise and fanfare around these medications. If you’ve been wondering about these medications, give these links a click.
Dietitian Carrie Dennett provides a great summary on Ozempic and Wegovy, how they came to be prescribed for weight loss, and the major downsides and consequences of these medications based on research and anecdotes.
Four Things You Should Know Before Jumping on the Ozempic Bandwagon
Dr. Lauren Muhlheim is a clinical psychologist and certified eating disorder specialist based on Los Angeles. She writes “The real problem is drug companies preying on peoples’ insecurities in an effort to make money. Accordingly, you do not have to succumb to the pressure to change your body.”
Unfiltered: The Truth about Wegovy: The Fat Doctor Podcast
Dr. Asher Larmie (they/them) is a Transgender Non Binary GP and fat activist who is campaigning for an end to medical weight stigma. This podcast takes a deep dive into Wegovy, how it came to be, and all of the research surrounding it. *This podcast does contain swear words.
Remember that you are the expert of your own body. You also have the right to disconnect and disengage from any talk of these medications and from weight loss talk in general whenever you choose, especially if it begins to feel overwhelming or draining.
Interested in learning more about an anti-diet, weight neutral, intuitive eating-based approach to food, nutrition, and body image? Check out our contact page here to connect with one of our providers. We’d love to hear from you!