What does the rise of drugs like Ozempic tell about the fat-loss industry today?

Drugs like Ozempic and the body positivity movement are coexisting today. We attempt to decipher what that indicates about the health and wellness sector 

While we’d like to believe that we’ve progressed as a society, the grim truth is that substantial changes are yet to transpire across matters that have persisted for years — the discomfiture around the word ‘fat’, for instance. We, perhaps, live in a world where dialogues about body positivity and fat-shaming serve as tokenism, only to be brushed aside as trivial chatter, or even worse, jocular meme material. 

The obsession with arriving at a certain number on the weighing scale and shedding inches (read: losing weight) isn’t novel— it’s one that exists globally and since forever. We all know of somebody who has dealt with tumultuous emotional and physical struggles due to the pressure of slacking off those extra pounds. When we look at this ignominy from a social constraint point of view, we’re swift to hold celebrities accountable for setting and promoting unrealistic standards of—not just beauty but also—the ‘perfect’ body.

Whether it’s the Kardashians and Jenners advocating slimming teas and gummies or Kareena Kapoor’s size zero figure that went viral over a decade  ago, celebrities have left no stone unturned to brazenly express their proclivity for a slender physique. We all know what Kim K did to fit into Marilyn Monroe’s dress, don’t we? She starved herself and lost 16 pounds in just three weeks. Years of indirectly proselytising an hourglass body as the perfect body has jeopardised impressionable (and not so impressionable) minds, making people go lengths to attain the kind of body seen on screen and on magazine covers. That these influential platforms need to up the visibility of bodies of all sizes and shapes is something we’ve featured here.

Recently, another menacing trend to lose weight has been making all the noise—Ozempic. With over 1.4 billion views, the hashtag #ozempic is a certified hit on TikTok; on Instagram too, the hashtag features over 73,000 posts. “Ozempic is a brand name for the medication semaglutide, which is generally prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus,” says Dr Sonali Kagne, deputy consultant, Department of Endocrinology, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai. We must mention that ozempic also does the job of an appetite suppressant. Elon Musk took to Twitter to share that he consumes ozempic. So if you thought that ‘weight loss’ and ‘fat loss’ were bygones, think again. The rise in the popularity of ozempic isn’t just suggestive of a reckless approach to weight (loss) but also indicates the very existence of the typical narrative of ‘looking good’ and ‘being fit’, failing the body positive movement in a way. 

Why is ozempic going viral?

“Ozempic is administered once weekly and helps lower blood sugar levels by increasing insulin secretion, slowing down gastric emptying and reducing glucagon secretion,” explains Kagne. However, what ozempic also does is that it makes you feel fuller for longer by acting on the appetite centre of your brain. “This can result in decreased food intake and weight loss. Weight loss tends to improve the insulin sensitivity and thereby control blood sugar levels,” adds Kagne, shedding light on the link between ozempic and weight loss. 

“Ozempic is administered once weekly and helps lower blood sugar levels by increasing insulin secretion, slowing down gastric emptying and reducing glucagon secretion,” explains Kagne. However, what ozempic also does is that it makes you feel fuller for longer by acting on the appetite centre of your brain. “This can result in decreased food intake and weight loss. Weight loss tends to improve the insulin sensitivity and thereby control blood sugar levels,” adds Kagne, shedding light on the link between ozempic and weight loss.

Nutritionist Samreedhi Goel informs that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Wegovy (semaglutide) injection (2.4 mg once a week) for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related condition (such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol), for use in addition to a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity.

“However, it’s important to note that medication alone is not considered the first-line approach for weight loss or obesity management,” prompts Kagne. “In cases where lifestyle modifications alone are insufficient, healthcare professionals may consider additional strategies, including medications like Ozempic. Gigi Bedi, coach and co-founder, The Space Fitness, affirms, “Because it suppresses hunger, it makes it easy for you to be in a calorie deficit, eventually leading to weight loss when paired with healthy lifestyle interventions around diet and exercise. The last part of this statement is a caveat often left out of sensational headlines.” We need not mention how the imprudent consumption of the drug by a larger size of the population is now causing a shortage for those who genuinely need it. 

The problematic narrative of health that thrives on fat loss

Whether one likes it or not, it is a fact that obesity and unhealthy weight do carry the potential to trigger a myriad of health concerns. However, chasing a ‘skinny’ body is counterintuitive too, passing off as something as perilous (if not more) as being precariously obese. Unfortunately, while most people have managed to wrap their heads around the risks associated with being overweight, the disadvantages of being underweight, physically unfit and stamina-lacking haven’t been highlighted enough. 

“Yes, weight and size still do matter and are a focus for a lot of people,” shares Goel, pointing out that maybe the metamorphosis from ‘fat-loss’ and ‘weight-loss’ to being healthy and fit hasn’t materialised as much as it should have. “My observation is that weight loss and size are still prime focuses. There is an information overload due to social media and it’s now easier to peddle BS and misguide people by preying on their fears,” Bedi says, in concurrence with Goel. “A larger population, though, has started understanding that there’s more to weight loss than magic pills. Post the pandemic, I’m observing an increase in people seeking more value from fitness than just aesthetics—people are willing to invest in exercise for better daily functioning, pain and disease prevention and a high quality of old age.”

Kagne reveals that Ozempic is also being used as the sole intervention for weight management without taking proper care of diet and exercise, especially by those who need to lose just five or 10 pounds. “Semaglutide is a molecule which has given promising results with few injections. It has saved so many efforts one would otherwise need to take to lose 5-10 kilograms of weight,” adds the doctor, who believes that the drug is being abused as it is now considered as a supplement to lifestyle correction which essentially includes physical activity and a healthy diet. All of this, to shed some kilos. “The fat-loss industry is not the same as the fitness industry,” says Bedi. “Body weight outcomes are not equal to health outcomes.” 

Let the approach to health, fitness and weight be individualistic

While the conventional weight-loss industry is one that thrives on insecurities and social stigmas, the health and fitness industry focuses on lifestyle modifications for improved health and well-being in the longer run. “Weight management involves a multifaceted approach,” says Kagne. “Unless you have a medical condition that requires you to, we [at The Space Fitness] do not endorse exercising for weight loss. While it may be one of the outcomes of exercise, it’s probably at the bottom of our list of benefits,” shares Bedi. “Because of our positioning, I guess we don’t really attract anyone who is looking to become ‘skinny’ or ‘ripped’; everyone who visits us is seeking long-term benefits like strength, high energy levels, athleticism, pain-free living and independence with age.”

As far as Ozempic is concerned, Bedi shares that “When it comes to weight loss for non-medical conditions, studies have shown that two-thirds of trial participants that were on Ozempic gained back weight a year after coming off the drug. So unless you have a medical condition that makes you unable to lose weight (where you need to be on this drug permanently), this would not be the best way to change your body for long-term results.” Talking about the ground-level perceptual change that needs to take place, the fitness expert feels that comparison to celebrity bodies and following the latest trends may not be the best idea, as it may not work for you. According to her, it is vital that health and weight management needs are pursued in a way that aligns with one’s life which includes their physiological, psychological and socio-economic situation. 

Goel adds that one should be wary of gimmicky weight-loss solutions. “All the supplements, devices, gadgets and teas that are not backed by research are just taking advantage of a need by claiming to provide quick fixes that are not only short-lived but can also harm your health.” She recommends getting rid of one bad habit at a time and replacing it with a good one. “Don’t have an all-or-nothing approach. Allow yourself a few indulgences at a time but don’t make indulging your central focus. Talk yourself out of unhealthy choices and focus on how better choices are making you stronger.” She believes that awareness is key, and so is motivation.

“Consulting with healthcare professionals, such as registered dietitians or doctors, can provide personalised advice and guidance based on your specific needs, health conditions, and any underlying factors that may affect weight management,” concludes Kagne.

Also Read: The anti-diet movement is ensuring that weight loss does not define your relationship with food

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