What do weight loss drugs mean for body image?

At this point, anyone who engages with any online media will have likely heard of GLP-1 drugs. They are also often referred to under their brand names, such as Wegovy or Mounjaro. While the primary purpose of these drugs is to aid in weight loss, they are also known to help with other conditions, such as PCOS, sleep apnoea, and even infertility.  

However, the rise in popularity of these drugs has resulted in a lot of controversy and misinformation across social media and the wider internet. Content created promoting these injections as a quick fix ‘solution’ poses a substantial threat to many body positive campaigns and movements that people have worked so hard to build. For example, the drugs have caused some conflict with people, creators, and celebrities alike who define themselves under the term midsize. While there is debate over which sizes are truly considered midsize, midsize is often considered to be between small and plus-size. Many people who consider themselves midsize often feel left out and unconsidered by the fashion industry, as the majority of clothing worn by this community does not fit correctly.

The pressure [to get smaller] never left; it just took a lunch break. Now it’s back – with a prescription pad

– Taryn Hicks

So why do GLP-1s pose a unique threat to these body-positive communities and terms? Unfortunately, there is an increasing number of people gaining access to GLP-1s off-label despite not qualifying based on the required factors. This is reportedly occurring frequently among women who do not need to medically lose weight but sadly feel the constant pressure and pull to lose weight – a pressure that body positive content and campaigns work hard to relieve.      

Taryn Hicks, a popular midsize creator on Instagram, has stated: “The pressure [to get smaller] never left; it just took a lunch break. Now it’s back – with a prescription pad.” There are a few trends that are currently circling across social media, including the TikTok trend ‘this and no GLP-1s‘ that pops up here and there. What can make the concept of GLP-1s even more alluring to people, however, is the fact that these drugs, administered by injection, are marketed as a kind of ‘miracle’ drug that helps you magically lose weight. Unfortunately, this is grossly inaccurate for most of the people who use GLP-1s. I should know – this time last year I was that person. 

There were a few people in my life who were suggesting that I should also be excited to lose weight 

I was put on Mounjaro for health issues I face, as GLP-1s can help the body regulate insulin production and many other hormones. Outside of these health issues, however, there were a few people in my life who were suggesting that I should also be excited to lose weight, despite my being comfortable in my size 14 body. In all honesty, as someone who has had several negative experiences throughout my life regarding my appearance and body shape, I have to admit that I was interested to see what the GLP-1 could do for my body, given that people had always been adamant that I should want to change it.    

It is not a miracle drug, nor a quick-fix solution. Being on Mounjaro was one of the worst experiences of my life: I had all sorts of horrible side effects, and it seriously impacted my mental health. But I was losing weight, so people told me it was all worth it – one even suggested I stay on it longer than I intended to just to lose a little more weight. 

Marketing them to anyone as a painless, quick miracle drug is incredibly ignorant

My own experience with GLP-1s has enabled me to consider many different viewpoints that people use to debate these drugs. They are genuinely useful and necessary for people who qualify to take them for specific health reasons, as taking the drug did improve my health!  

However, I think marketing them to anyone as a painless, quick miracle drug is incredibly ignorant; the presence of GLP-1s can negatively impact so many people’s body image, and most people have an unpleasant experience when taking them. I’ve learnt to love my body despite criticism, and while taking Mounjaro was right for my health, it caused me serious discomfort when looking in the mirror, as I can’t say I initially recognised the person staring back. 

Should you want to read more about my experience on Mounjaro or the science behind GLP-1 drugs, you can read my previous article here.