The rise of illegal weight-loss drugs brings a new wave of fatphobia

Weight loss drugs have slowly been gaining popularity as people seem to have found the long-sought solution to lose weight quickly. Popular drugs include Ozempic, a Diabetes treatment popularised by celebrities and influencers, which has become a trend that has rapidly spread across social media. Major names like Oprah and Elon Musk have encouraged its growth and led to shortages in demand across the US because of their popularity. In the UK this is no different. Although Ozempic is not as easily accessible, the awareness of weight loss drugs has led to prescription requests for approved drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro which are often offered on the NHS. However, tighter restrictions are being introduced so pharmacies cannot prescribe drugs based on online questionnaires as they have done previously. The changes aim to restrict access to these drugs by individuals who are at a healthy weight or have a history of eating disorders by requiring consultations, verifying patient body mass index (BMI), and reviewing information from GP or medical records.

The spread of information online about weight loss drugs has contributed to the availability of illegal substances, highlighting a broader issue of misinformation surrounding weight loss

Restricting the general public’s access to these drugs has led to an increase in the black market for illegal weight loss drugs which mimic the hormones in drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. Despite being illegal, numerous options are available in beauty salons, online retailers, and on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. UK governmental regulators strongly advise against the purchase of drugs from these platforms, warning against the significant health risk. Ingredients used to replicate official drugs are more likely to have unintended side effects, with toxic ingredients resulting in numerous trips to the A&E.

The spread of information online about weight loss drugs has contributed to the availability of illegal substances, highlighting a broader issue of misinformation surrounding weight loss. Since the rise of social media in the 2000s, misinformation and fake related to weight loss has been spreading almost instantly. By following trends set by influencers and celebrities, every day people fall into the trap of using these drugs. When the regulated options are unavailable or too expensive, they turn to unregulated, cheaper alternatives that carry higher risks. The title of ‘weight loss drugs’ is misleading as the drugs are used to suppress the symptoms of other illnesses such as diabetes, working as an appetite suppressant as a side effect.

Information plays a crucial role in the rise of these drugs, but it is the attitudes surrounding them that have fuelled their widespread popularity. Social media consistently highlights positive outcomes, while magazines frequently showcase celebrities whose lives have been transformed by weight loss drugs. This constant promotion only amplifies demand, making it unsurprising that when these drugs become difficult to obtain and therefore, illegal alternatives pop up everywhere.

Fatphobia quite literally is the pathological fear of fatness, but the term has been adapted to mean a general bias of overweight individuals, often rooted in the misguided idea that thinner bodies are the ultimate life goal

The harmful cultural attitudes around weight loss are significant and the portrayal of this trend on social media stems from the prevalent fatphobic attitudes. Fatphobia quite literally is the pathological fear of fatness, but the term has been adapted to mean a general bias of overweight individuals, often rooted in the misguided idea that thinner bodies are the ultimate life goal. Fatphobia has particularly spread with the rise of obesity initiatives from governments, impacting individuals who are treated poorly as a result. Although it seems there is a new wave of fatphobia on the rise, it appears to be less prevalent than in the 2000s when fatphobic comments commonly appeared in many classic movies and TV shows. Across social media, we can see these attitudes are resorting again with celebrities like the Kardashians, who once embraced curves, slimming down. Clothing trends like low-rise jeans mimic the 2000s, and larger high-profile entertainers such as Rebel Wilson and Adele have lost weight.

Despite this, social media has also become an outlet for body positivity offering a platform to raise awareness. Many influencers who may have previously focused on clothing, fitness, or lifestyle content are now called out to highlight the reality behind what they post on Instagram. For example, there has been a trend among fitness influencers to showcase their bodies in gym lighting contrasted with relaxed outfits that don’t hug their bodies. These trends aim to challenge fatphobia, but as body positivity gains popularity, there appears to be a battle on social media between those encouraging self-acceptance and those fighting for the ‘skinny look’. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are algorithm-driven, making it possible to see both perspectives. Users exposed to ‘fatphobic’ content may be less likely to encounter the body positivity movement. This reinforces societal pressure to follow trends like weight loss drugs, leading to problematic consequences.

Weight loss drugs can be beneficial for those with health concerns or those who need to lose weight, but the only safe approach is under the guidance of healthcare professionals to avoid unintended harm to the body. However, the bigger challenge is separating these drugs from the stigma of being overweight. With so many people influenced by social media, celebrities, and news outlets, perspectives are easily distorted by trending narratives. The rise of weight loss drugs and fatphobia are deeply entangled with each other, making it difficult to determine whether these drugs are fuelling fatphobic mindsets or are a consequence of preexisting biases.