have shown effectiveness in reducing weight and improving health outcomes for individuals with obesity.
The use of GLP-1 receptor agonists may help reframe obesity as a medical issue rather than a personal failure.
Disparities in access and high costs of these medications could exacerbate existing biases against individuals who cannot afford treatment.
Some users may experience stigma for using medications perceived as an 'easy way out' to lose weight.
Legal actions and equitable access to these medications are essential for mitigating stigma.
Supportive healthcare and educational campaigns could reshape negative perceptions of obesity as a complex health issue.
Simplified
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This narrative review examines the potential implications of the expanded use of novel medications for obesity, particularly the , on and societal attitudes towards pharmacologically induced weight loss. It analyses how these medications may potentially contribute to both reducing and exacerbating stigma and discusses strategies to reduce weight bias.
RECENT FINDINGS: The introduction of GLP-1 receptor agonists has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing weight and lead to improved health outcomes for individuals living with obesity. However, while these medications may reduce stigma by framing obesity as a medical issue rather than a personal failure, disparities in access and use related to high costs may inflate existing biases against those who cannot afford treatment. Also, a few studies indicate that users of these medications may feel stigmatised for taking what is perceived as an "easy way out" to lose weight, mirroring historical attitudes towards bariatric surgery. The new medications for obesity may have the potential to reduce obesity stigma by reframing it as a medical condition rather than a moral failing. However, taking legal actions to build a more inclusive society including ensuring equitable access to these medications will be essential in mitigating stigma and help fostering a supportive environment for those living with obesity. Lessons from reducing stigma surrounding other medical conditions suggest that supportive health care and educational campaigns that promote the understanding of obesity as a complex health issue are needed to reshape negative perceptions towards individuals with obesity.
Key numbers
15–20%
Average Weight Loss
Weight loss achieved with .
40–50%
40–50%
Prevalence of among people living with obesity.
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Declarations. Competing Interests: Berit L Heitmann is a Co-principal investigator of the LightCOM project that was financed by a grant to the University of Copenhagen and The greater Copenhagen Hospital Corporation from the Novo Nordic Foundation (NNF22SA0080921).
