Glucagonlike peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications are now a major part of the national conversation about weight loss. From celebrity stories to everyday discussions, drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy are often described as breakthroughs that can help people shed significant weight.
However, new research from Rice University suggests the social experience of using these medications is more complex. In some situations, people who use them may face even more judgment than those who do not lose weight at all.
This unexpected result comes from a study led by Erin Standen, assistant professor of psychological sciences at Rice, published in the International Journal of Obesity. Her co-authors include Sean Phelan, professor of health services research at the Mayo Clinic, and Janet Tomiyama, professor of psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles.
"We expected there might be some stigma around using a GLP-1," Standen said. "But what surprised us was the extent of it."
Study Finds Greater Bias Against GLP-1 Users
