People judge weight loss more harshly when GLP-1 drugs are involved, study finds

[Grogu]

People judge weight loss more harshly when GLP-1 drugs are involved, study finds

In four pre-registered studies across Belgium, the US, and the UK, people judged anti-obesity medication users as putting in less effort and, in turn, viewed them as less moral, competent, warm, and deserving than non-users. The findings suggest that effort moralization may help drive stigma...

www.news-medical.net

Not too surprising that society has negative connotations regarding weight-loss medications, but that people using the medications are “viewed as less moral, competent, and deserving.” is kind of sad…

 

[Beardboost]

When you start becoming a better person people feel the need to judge out of jealously, why I keep my circle close and keep the none supporters at Stretch Armstrong length 😂 This is about us not them...

 

[lessthanhalf]

Sadly , a lot of people really are pretty bigoted towards obese people. I will never forget the attitudes of medical colleagues ( a long time ago ) towards obese patients, which tended towards disgust. Hopefully this has at least changed a bit for the better since then.
Having gone from 145kg to 65kg in a few years it is still obvious how differently strangers look at you , or in the case of being really overweight, actively avoid looking at you. I think some of this bias gets internalised and is partly why so many people are opposed to the idea of staying on GLP's long term to keep the weight off. The underlying logic of the attitudes from that study is that suffering is needed to correct the moral failure and incompetence of being obese, so people losing weight with less suffering via using GLP drugs are seen as having cheated.

 

[fetefille]

Not too surprising that society has negative connotations regarding weight-loss medications, but that people using the medications are “viewed as less moral, competent, and deserving.” is kind of sad…

wow. can't win for losing--literally in this case. people think those things of fat folks, now they think those things of people who lose via glp-1 meds. I wonder how they feel about folks who've lost weight via surgery?

some people really believe fat people should suffer for the "sin" of being fat. so you do it the "right" way and they praise you, yea? you gain it back, see? you're just less than, try again and again and again and again, but the way they deem acceptable.

 

[Waterheater]

When you start becoming a better person people feel the need to judge out of jealously, why I keep my circle close and keep the none supporters at Stretch Armstrong length 😂 This is about us not them...

Totally agreed! This is about ourself, our goals and our struggles.👍 Personally I am open about my use of glps as I don’t see why it should be stigmatized.

 

[Ryanking11]

I understand it makes it easier, but it doesn’t mean you just wake up minus the weight with 0 changes

 

[New2ton]

A coworker and I had an interesting discussion the other day. We were discussing yo-yo dieting and the havoc it can play on metabolism. He revealed that he himself has always struggled with weight and has never been able to keep weight off for an extended period of time. A few days after this conversation, when GLP-1s were mentioned between another coworker and myself, he started talking about how everyone he knows is on them and he considers the use of GLP-1s to be "cheating."

 

[Grogu]

wow. can't win for losing--literally in this case. people think those things of fat folks, now they think those things of people who lose via glp-1 meds. I wonder how they feel about folks who've lost weight via surgery?

some people really believe fat people should suffer for the "sin" of being fat. so you do it the "right" way and they praise you, yea? you gain it back, see? you're just less than, try again and again and again and again, but the way they deem acceptable.

OMG, I'm so glad you mentioned "sin", because make no mistake about where this is coming from.... these social norms have very deep roots in both religous and cultural history. The terms were(are) gluttony and sloth, two of the Seven Deadly Sins. Gluttony (excessive eating/induglence) and sloth (lack of discipline, laziness, failure to exercise) have been so engrained in western culture that a heavy body is seen as a morally compromised body.

 

[Grogu]

A coworker and I had an interesting discussion the other day. We were discussing yo-yo dieting and the havoc it can play on metabolism. He revealed that he himself has always struggled with weight and has never been able to keep weight off for an extended period of time. A few days after this conversation, when GLP-1s were mentioned between another coworker and myself, he started talking about how everyone he knows is on them and he considers the use of GLP-1s to be "cheating."

This is why I've told nobody at work about my glp-1 use. Not a soul, not even co-workers that I'm close with. People are so freaking judgmental. I'm sure people probably think I'm on a glp-1, but only one has had the nerve to ask. I deflected the question. It must be the topic of workplace chatter because I can't get through a day without someone saying something. 🤣

 

[Grogu]

I think some of this bias gets internalised and is partly why so many people are opposed to the idea of staying on GLP's long term to keep the weight off. The underlying logic of the attitudes from that study is that suffering is needed to correct the moral failure and incompetence of being obese, so people losing weight with less suffering via using GLP drugs are seen as having cheated.

Yes, internalized fat shaming definitely shapes some of the sentiment of not wanting to stay on these glp-1 medications long-term. I also think micro-dosing (for some people) is also related. As if they don't take as much, they aren't "cheating" as much. Some people can't truly tolerate the medication and low doses make sense, but I think for the vast majority of folks who are micro-dosing it's peer pressure and internalized fat shaming.

 

[5byfive]

"If you ain't cheating, you ain't trying."

 

[SeaGypsy]

I am open with my inner circle, hell after seeing my weightloss 3 of my inner circle now have me supplying them. I say nothing to anyone else. Many have no idea the physical and mental exhaustion being obese is. There is nothing anyone could say about me that I haven't said to myself. The shame, guilt, depression, anxieties....it just destroys you. That same mentality was also ingrained in my head, I never felt good enough because I was the fat one. I hid in the back of the few pictures I couldn't weasel out of. I always tried to blend in and not be seen. Because I fought the weight for so long, my mind will never let me believe I'm thin. But now I'm five pounds from goal, I'm working hard on my mental being as well as my physical being. I now do this for me instead of for others, it's all for me!

 

[New2ton]

This is why I've told nobody at work about my glp-1 use. Not a soul, not even co-workers that I'm close with. People are so freaking judgmental. I'm sure people probably think I'm on a glp-1, but only one has had the nerve to ask. I deflected the question. It must be the topic of workplace chatter because I can't get through a day without someone saying something. 🤣

Everyone in my office, there are only 4 of us, knows that I'm on a GLP-1. I mean, it's probably pretty obvious since I've lost over 60 pounds in 8 months and I'm almost at goal. We are all pretty close and get along really well, so I've never felt judged at all. I'm guessing they all assumed that I was getting it at a pharmacy though, because the one coworker, who is our HR director and benefits coordinator, tried to get a GLP-1 Rx filled and was told that it would be $1500. He then asked me how much I pay per month, because he knows we have the same insurance😆. I explained to him that I purchase on the grey market, which he was intrigued by, and he has since started purchasing from the same place I used when I first started. He's not totally comfortable with crypto, so it works for him. This was NOT a conversation we had in front of the other 2. 🤭
It's been my experience over the last 8 months, that most of the people who comment about my weight loss or ask how I've lost so much weight, are just wanting to know how they can also lose weight. My guess is that the coworker who made the "cheating" comment, may just be a bit jealous because he knows how much GLP-1s cost through regular channels. I'm sure if he knew how much I pay, and now our HR Director and benefit coordinator pay, he'd be all on board with GLP-1s. 🤣

 

[Nailedit]

A coworker and I had an interesting discussion the other day. We were discussing yo-yo dieting and the havoc it can play on metabolism. He revealed that he himself has always struggled with weight and has never been able to keep weight off for an extended period of time. A few days after this conversation, when GLP-1s were mentioned between another coworker and myself, he started talking about how everyone he knows is on them and he considers the use of GLP-1s to be "cheating."

Someone would never say that a diabetic using insulin is "cheating". So crazy. But our society generally looks at overweight/obese people as having some sort of deficiency.

 

[randompersonrandom]

I get mostly these five responses when someone mentions my kinda-dramatic weight loss or asks how I did it, and I throw my hands in the air and crow "MAGIC SKINNY SHOOOOOOTS, Tirzepatide is a miracle and I will never, ever, EVER stop taking it, try and pry it out of my hands NOW!"

"OMG ME TOOOOOOOO GO US!" (common)
"WOW THAT IS WONDERFUL FOR YOU I AM SO HAPPY YOU FOUND A WAY THAT WORKED (genuine)"
"Huh. I'm about to ask you eight billion questions because I am happily surprised that you were so forthcoming which makes me suspect that it's probably fine to ask you all the questions I've wanted to have answered before I decide if I want it myself." (yes, that is fine)
"Oh. I was considering saying something very southern and casually cruel and passive-aggressively snotty, but you just reminded me that you are loud and very happy and don't appear easy to shame, so it would probably take more aggression than I'm willing to casually bring to the table to actually shame you the way I'd like to, so I think I'll say something very noncommittal and let you change the subject." (not terribly common because I just don't know a lot of that kind of people, but the ones I DO know are smart enough not to try to bring that to my table.)
"I was ready to shame you and have shamed others... but the fact that you don't accept that it's shameful just made me reconsider whether I accept that it's shameful and now I have questions and may actually start myself." (I am kinda surprised how common that one is.)

Also, I saw a plastic surgeon yesterday about getting my eyes done, an old Eastern European guy. His fellow did my exam, then brought him in, and mentioned "And also, she's had a sixty pound weight loss." The surgeon lit up and said "Did you..." (and made a fist, and pushed it to his abdomen.) I laughed and said "yes! Tirzepatide!" He ALSO laughed and said "YES! TIRZEPATIDE! HOORAY FOR TIRZEPATIDE!" and we took a minute to just yell "HOORAY" while his fellow waited politely.

 

[oldjarhead]

I try to avoid everything negative. I do my best to keep it away from me. Yes, it creeps in sometimes, but I squash it fast. My new positive outlook on life has produced a better me. I'm proud and happy for people who are doing their best to improve themselves. I'm not jealous at all. I want us all to make it! Smile, it's contagious.

 

[Ragnar]

It’s an interesting study I just wish they disclosed a little more about the demographics of the participants involved in the survey.

Another recent study found that older age was associated with more negative and stigmatizing views of anti obesity medications, while younger age had more positive views.

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In 10-20 years glp1 use will be so common and accepted that societal views will become much more accepting or tolerant. And if someone wants to be a judgemental towards obese people or those that use medicine to get better than they are likely ignorant towards realities of the disease or compensating for something lacking in their own life.

 

[byefatlicia]

This is about us not them..

I agree that this is about us. But I am sharing with everyone trying to make more "USes"
I mostly shout it from the rooftops. Because it gave me hope. And Everyone can have it. Everyone who has had this struggle can.
I was judged recently by a couple that I ran into who I've known for years. They looked at each other and it was obvious that they had formed a negative opinion between them on the subject. It saddened me for them. They struggle with weight and could've benefited. But their reaction stopped my discussion of it and we talked about other stuff instead.
Maybe, hopefully, they'll come around and see that lives are being changed.
But it won't stop me from sharing. How can you find the cure and not want to tell others?

 

[BNLFL]

When you start becoming a better person people feel the need to judge out of jealously,

I have a real good friend like that. He's got to be 230-250lbs. He knows we've been dieting, but not the Reta. He asked what I've lost so far, I tell him 36lbs. He then tells me he's down 45 since the first of the year. Only way he's lost that much is if he dropped two 25lb dumbells he was carrying around. My wife just poked me not to say anything.

"If you ain't cheating, you ain't trying."

Thanks Dale.

 

[cloratheshadow]

I work at a gym and I was nervous to be open about it for a while but honestly I am very proud of it. People think it’s an easy fix and it’s absolutely not. People also think “just eat healthy and exercise” but those are people who have never been obese and don’t understand.

 

[RetCurious]

OMG, I'm so glad you mentioned "sin", because make no mistake about where this is coming from.... these social norms have very deep roots in both religous and cultural history. The terms were(are) gluttony and sloth, two of the Seven Deadly Sins. Gluttony (excessive eating/induglence) and sloth (lack of discipline, laziness, failure to exercise) have been so engrained in western culture that a heavy body is seen as a morally compromised body.

"This perception reflects a broader psychological bias known as effort moralization, where greater effort is equated with higher moral worth."
The old "pull yourself up by the bootstraps" bias...
Chances are those "skinny bitches" were judging you anyway and I suspect most are one step away from espousing their membership to "the master race".

 

[Troposphere]

I was out to lunch with two of my coworkers who have recently lost a ton of weight. They both shared that they are on GLP1s. Their transformations have been truly amazing. One of them has started wearing jeans again because she is proud of how she looks again. I had/have a lot less to lose than them, but their stories inspired me to go down the grey market road. I am so grateful that they trusted me to share because I wouldn't be where I am now without that info. It is total nonsense that people should be ashamed of using these medical interventions. I see that these coworkers are much happier in their new bodies and that is enough for me.

 

[ultima thule]

Same story as with steroids. Silly theories spread by the people who are afraid to give a try something which is considered as "dodgy". And the truth behind peps and roids is that people who use it put much more effort to achieve their goals. At the end of the day it's a personal choice and we still live in the world, where we can decide about ourselves and our choices...someone who choose that way of getting to the proper weight, or just desired body build, can theoretically hurt only oneself...so anybody who wants to judge would better f...ck off.

 

[birdwhacker]

Sadly , a lot of people really are pretty bigoted towards obese people.

No shit. After losing twelve pounds people treat me much differently than they used to, laugh a little harder at the same jokes, cut me more slack for the bad jokes and the poor eye contact. Just looking a little better does wonders. Obese people, I don't know if I'd say I'm bigoted towards them but it definitely takes more effort to warm up to them. I like attractive people and I think most people do.

Totally agreed! This is about ourself, our goals and our struggles.👍 Personally I am open about my use of glps as I don’t see why it should be stigmatized.

To an extent. It makes me feel better about myself, and improves my physical/mental health, but it's also very much about how others perceive me and to be honest I wouldn't be on a GLP if I was the only person in the world.

I'm open about it too, but I wonder if I should reconsider that.

Another recent study found that older age was associated with more negative and stigmatizing views of anti obesity medications, while younger age had more positive views.

That's not surprising. GenX seems to be one of the most judgemental generations alive. Old people in general. Hell, as I get older I get more judgemental. The kids will say the same shit about me in a few years.

Same story as with steroids. Silly theories spread by the people who are afraid to give a try something which is considered as "dodgy".

Eh let's not take it too far. I agree that people unfairly judge steroid users, assuming that they didn't put in any effort which just isn't true, but let's not pretend that their aren't good reasons for the stigma.

 

[Appelss12]

Yes they are. I tell no one

 

[Turbo-Farmer]

I can’t hide it from anyone. Losing 50# and my gut is quite noticeable. I have no shame about the fact I take tirzepitide. Most people are supportive, however many are of the opinion that they’d never take injections. I counter with the fact that I had to do something before my pre-diabetes progressed.

With diet and exercise I was able to keep in shape until I hit 52, then my metabolism started to slow and even fasting, eating healthy, and running everyday couldn’t keep me healthy.

I often get the “couldn’t you just eat less” kind of myopic thinking that if I had the willpower I would be able to lose weight. But I try to explain “that’s not how diabetes works”.

People are going to have their preconceived conception about weight and I still fell like an overweight person in a skinner body.

I try not to let people get me down and hope that someone who’s struggling will hear all the benefits that come with my choices.

 

[msyntakz]

Personally at this point (age 37) living my whole life overweight and depressed, likely from a combination of the weight and hormone issues, I plan on living happily from here. That is going to involve long term use of peptide and hormone injections to make corrections, and anyone having a major objection to it is making no effort to understand/listen. I don’t need those kinds of low effort relationships in my life anymore.

 

[mybodyisasewer]

I hate to say this but... I used to be pretty fat, 6 foot at 250+ lbs (zero muscle) in my early 20s. I actually stopped weighing myself at one point it was so depressing. I did most of my weight loss and muscle gain the old fashioned way down to 190 lbs, and it took many years of hard work and discipline. Eventually it occurred to me that I was treated differently by people, and it really fueled a contempt for humans in general for me.

And I've heard that people who used to be fat are the harshest critics of fat people, and I never understood that. It sucks to lose weight, it was almost impossible for me. There's a huge cohort of people who will simply NEVER lose weight without these drugs. I feel really bad for obese people, I do my best to treat them kindly. Heck if I had access to reta in 2015 I would have done it then too.

I have 2 friends now who are getting on tirz through doc/ins and they both seemed pleasantly surprised when I strongly encouraged them to take it. I can tell they see a stigma to these drugs and they both hesitated to even tell me, a friend, who happens to be the most pro-drug pro-liberty person on the planet.

Better living through chemistry isn't new. New drugs are always coming out. The people who are against this come off as wildly ignorant to me.

It's not "cheating" if you're not in a drug-tested competitive sport. And calling it a "shortcut" isn't the dis they think it is. If a shortcut improves your quality of life, it's just your best path.

We have a long way to go.

 

[5byfive]

That's not surprising. GenX seems to be one of the most judgemental generations alive.

I don't know about the most judgemental, but I think definitely more blunt.

How different generations answer this question "Am I fat?"

Boomer: You could probably lose a couple of pounds

Milenial: No, you're beautiful

Gen Z: We don't body shame, of course you're not

Gen X: I have 5 fat friends, and you're 4 of them

 

[birdwhacker]

I don't know about the most judgemental, but I think definitely more blunt.

Said the GenX 🤣 I've always described myself as obese and most of my friends will happily tell me the truth. You're confusing GenZ with Gen Alpha – I'm GenZ and pushing 30.

Funnily enough GenX usually insists that I'm not fat.