Weight Loss Medications Rapidly Changing Hollywood and Potentially America Soon

My pants feel tight, and so do my shirts when I button them. Everything still fits mostly, but just barely. It's a clear sign of the last month and a half I've spent in Paris, working long hours on a book and sticking to a meal plan that mostly revolves around morning pastries (more than one), afternoon ham and butter sandwiches (sometimes with a side of goat cheese potato chips), and steak frites dinners (accompanied by wine and chocolate mousse).

While it's been a fairly glorious time, the reality is setting in that this lifestyle has to come to an end when I return to New York, my home, in a couple of weeks. I've already started thinking about making a telehealth appointment for a prescription for Ozempic or some other GLP-1 drug. Originally designed for diabetes, these drugs are now widely prescribed for weight loss, and I'm considering it to kick-start my diet.

Yes, I'm using the word "diet." It's a term that, for the past couple of decades, has been somewhat taboo. It was always whispered about, especially when advocates for body positivity, like myself, were loudly promoting acceptance of all body shapes. However, I'm at peace with admitting that I want to shed a few pounds, possibly with the help of a prescription drug.

But beyond my personal journey, I find myself torn when considering the broader implications of drugs like Ozempic (as well as others like Wegovy and Mounjaro) on the body positivity movement. If most people can lose weight with a simple injection or pill, does this render the movement obsolete? Will there be any body-positive icons left in Hollywood? Or does the rapid rise and acceptance of Ozempic indicate that the body positivity movement never had the impact we had hoped for?

Looking back, in the 1960s, there was a fat liberation movement inspired by the radical politics of the Black Power, queer communities, and women's liberation. The idea that people could exist without the constant pressure to change their bodies was progressive, especially in a decade that also gave us Weight Watchers. In 1967, 500 activists held a "fat-in" in Central Park, where they enjoyed bread and butter, burned diet books, and carried banners with slogans like "Fat Power" and "Buddha Was Fat." Liberation took various forms, and by the early '90s, during the third-wave feminism era, zines like Fat!So? were candid and joyful about living in larger bodies.

Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty, kicking off in 2004, stood out as one of the early and widely recognized representations of body positivity. It made waves by showcasing women with gray hair, cellulite, or a plethora of freckles as beautiful—something that was considered groundbreaking at the time. Fast forward 20 years, and the embrace-yourself-as-you-are message seems more commonplace. High-end brands like Reformation, Mara Hoffman, and Girlfriend Collective routinely feature models with a more diverse range of body types, challenging the industry's traditional size 4 and below standard.

Back then, this felt like the start of a significant cultural shift, paving the way for plus-size models such as Ashley Graham and Paloma Elsesser gracing the covers of Vogue. Even in the world of plastic surgery, people sought the round face appearance from fillers and the fuller rear look of a Brazilian butt lift.

However, looking back, I question whether this movement was more than just noise. The term "body positivity" itself seems weaker and less impactful than its origins in the fat liberation movement. On platforms like Instagram, the body positive inspiration often features relatively thin, light-skinned women defying the odds by learning to love themselves in a bikini. Yet, even these icons are unrealistic, with flawless waist-to-hips ratios and none of the features of a real fat person, such as belly bumps or rolls.

In 2016, the hourglass-shaped size 16 model Ashley Graham got her own Barbie, but it was still a larger version of the traditional Barbie. Lizzo, a pop star of size, launched Yitty, "shapewear reinvented" designed for every body. If the benchmark for body positivity is slightly bigger Barbies or size-inclusive shapewear, it makes me question the true impact of the movement.

Data indicates that the answer might be no. A 2019 Harvard analysis revealed that implicit bias against larger people actually increased during what we consider the peak years of the body positivity movement (2007 to 2016). While explicit bias decreased, suggesting people were less likely to openly express a preference for thin bodies, the underlying bias persisted.

Meanwhile, Weight Watchers, a child of the '60s, continued to adapt to trends. In its latest move, the company acquired the telehealth company Sequence, introducing WW Clinic—an online portal facilitating prescriptions for GLP-1 drugs. This shift signifies Weight Watchers' belief that the future of dieting and its financial success is tied to this new class of drugs. These drugs mimic naturally occurring gut hormones, activating a feeling of satiety and reducing appetite when taken as a weekly shot.

The surge in popularity is evident on TikTok, with videos tagged #ozempic accumulating 1.3 billion views. Prescription rates have spiked as well, with Boston experiencing a 79 percent increase from 2021 to 2022. The trend is even more pronounced in other cities, such as Atlanta (130 percent), Seattle (351 percent), and Cleveland (481 percent). In New York City, the highest concentration of prescriptions is in the affluent Upper East Side, indicating that Ozempic is primarily being used for weight loss, not diabetes management. Barclays predicts a potential $100 billion global market for these drugs by 2030, and the Danish drug maker Novo Nordisk, the parent company of Ozempic and Wegovy, competes with the French luxury conglomerate LVMH for the title of Europe's most valuable company.

About a year into the GLP-1 media narrative, we've witnessed a slew of well-known figures openly admitting to losing weight with these drugs. Oprah Winfrey, a Weight Watchers investor, shared how she uses it as a tool to manage her weight without the ups and downs. Elon Musk, Amy Schumer, Chelsea Handler, Tracy Morgan, and Sharon Osbourne have also mentioned using weight-loss drugs. Even celebrities like Mindy Kaling, Adele, Jesse Plemons, and various Bravo stars seem to have slimmed down recently, either denying or keeping quiet about using Ozempic or similar drugs.

The speculation has crept into my personal life and group chats. Some acquaintances, friends, and even relatives have candidly discussed taking Ozempic or similar drugs. One woman described it as a "miracle drug," relieving her lifelong struggles with food-related inner dialogue and guilt, although it came with a hefty price tag (around $10,000 for a year out of pocket). I find myself speculating about others, especially those with whom I have a parasocial relationship—friends of friends and body-positivity influencers who appear to have shed several dress sizes. It feels a bit intrusive to ponder who might be taking it, and I can't help but feel we're losing role models of diverse body sizes.

There's a dilemma in all of this—succumbing to societal pressures on desirability is a trap, yet chasing an ideal may lead to a never-ending pursuit. I've had numerous conversations with friends about their baby boomer mothers still dieting in their 70s and 80s. At what point can one relax and enjoy life?

Being thin has its rationale; strangers may treat you better, and friends and family might be less critical. Finding well-fitting clothes is easier, and statistically, you might earn more money. It's a tricky balance that makes you feel like you're betraying some core principle regardless of the choice.

Then there are unintended ripple effects to consider. Will doctors push obese patients to use drugs to achieve a normal BMI without a thorough analysis of their overall health? Will these drugs become a status symbol for those who can afford them, considering they're meant for long-term use even if insurance doesn't cover them for weight loss? And what about people who aren't overweight using these drugs for events like weddings or proms?

These drugs, initially used for diabetes, are considered safe, but the potential societal impacts are unclear. The elimination of cravings, a side effect, might make people hesitant to stay on them permanently. Besides the more unpleasant side effects like nausea, diarrhea, and constipation, there's the broader effect of reduced interest in various activities, including drinking, smoking, shopping, and even sex. Crushing all our cravings might leave life feeling like a monotonous game of Whac-a-Mole.

Perhaps the normalization of Ozempic signals the end of a lukewarm era of body positivity, and that might be a positive shift. It could lead to a return to a more overtly political movement or, at the very least, one that stands for something. Katie Sturino, a body positivity influencer, recently shared her thoughts on Ozempic, emphasizing that the movement is not about gaining or losing weight but about being at peace with oneself.

As for me, I'm uncertain about my path to peace, and I haven't taken the step of getting a prescription yet.

Q&A

1: What lifestyle changes has the author experienced during the past month and a half in Paris?

The author's lifestyle changes during the past month and a half in Paris include working long hours on a book and adhering to a meal plan consisting mainly of morning pastries, ham and butter sandwiches, and steak frites dinners.

2: Why is the author considering making a telehealth appointment for a prescription drug like Ozempic?

he author is considering making a telehealth appointment for a prescription drug like Ozempic to kick-start their diet and address the tightness of their clothes gained during their time in Paris.

3: How does the author reflect on the term "diet" and its association with body positivity?

The author acknowledges using the term "diet," which has been somewhat taboo in recent years, but expresses a desire to shed a few pounds, possibly with the help of a prescription drug. This reflects a personal acceptance of wanting to make changes in their body.

4: In the historical context, what movements inspired the fat liberation movement in the 1960s?

The fat liberation movement in the 1960s was inspired by the radical politics of the Black Power, queer communities, and women's liberation, advocating for people to exist without constant pressure to change their bodies. A notable event was the "fat-in" in Central Park in 1967.

5: According to the article, how has the body positivity movement evolved over the years, especially in the representation of diverse body types in the media and fashion industry?

The body positivity movement has evolved over the years, with early representations like Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty challenging traditional beauty standards. However, the author questions the impact of the movement, suggesting that even with increased diversity in models, the benchmark for body positivity seems limited to slightly larger versions of traditional standards.

6: What does the 2019 Harvard analysis reveal about societal attitudes toward larger people during the peak years of the body positivity movement?

The 2019 Harvard analysis revealed that implicit bias against larger people increased during the peak years of the body positivity movement (2007 to 2016), even though explicit bias decreased. This suggests that while people were less likely to openly express a preference for thin bodies, underlying bias persisted.

7: What is the connection between Weight Watchers and the prescription drugs like Ozempic, as mentioned in the article?

Weight Watchers, adapting to trends, acquired the telehealth company Sequence and introduced WW Clinic—an online portal facilitating prescriptions for GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic. This shift indicates Weight Watchers' belief in the future success of dieting tied to this new class of drugs.

8: How has the popularity of Ozempic been reflected on social media platforms like TikTok?

The popularity of Ozempic is evident on TikTok, with videos tagged #ozempic accumulating 1.3 billion views. Prescription rates have spiked, particularly in cities like Boston, Atlanta, Seattle, and Cleveland, indicating a significant trend.

9: Which well-known figures are mentioned in the article as having openly admitted to using weight-loss drugs like Ozempic?

Well-known figures openly admitting to using weight-loss drugs like Ozempic include Oprah Winfrey, Elon Musk, Amy Schumer, Chelsea Handler, Tracy Morgan, Sharon Osbourne, Mindy Kaling, Adele, Jesse Plemons, and various Bravo stars.

10: What concerns and dilemmas are raised by the author regarding the potential societal impacts of the normalization of drugs like Ozempic?

Concerns raised by the author include potential pressures on obese patients to use weight-loss drugs without thorough health analysis, the drugs becoming a status symbol for the affluent, and the impact on people not overweight using these drugs for specific events. The author also discusses potential unintended ripple effects, including the reduction of interest in various activities due to the side effects of these drugs.

Meal plan, Body positivity, Weight loss, Hollywood, Fat liberation movement, Weight Watchers, WW Clinic, TikTok, Celebrity weight loss, Side effects