On the homepage of healthcare company Ro, former tennis champion Serena Williams is prominently featured holding an injection vial to her arm. The website boldly asks, “Serena’s on Ro. Are you next?” This marketing strategy highlights the growing trend of celebrities endorsing GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, sparking a renewed focus on weight loss in society.
The telehealth company, where Williams’s husband Alexis Ohanian serves as a board member, is promoting these medications, which have gained popularity for their weight-loss effects. Visitors to the site are led through a series of questions about their weight-loss goals, eventually landing on a page offering various GLP-1 medications, including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro.
The Celebrity Influence on Weight Loss Trends
Serena Williams is not alone in her public endorsement of weight-loss drugs. Social media platforms like TikTok are flooded with users sharing tips and advice on using these medications. Influencers often post videos demonstrating how to extract the last doses from syringes, emphasizing the high cost of these drugs. The narrative is clear: weight loss is achievable through these medications, creating a sense of urgency and desire among viewers.
Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, has stated her intention to reduce the stigma surrounding weight-loss drugs by being open about her use. She began taking Zepbound, a GLP-1 medication, six months after the birth of her second daughter. In interviews, she has discussed her struggles with weight loss post-pregnancy and her decision to turn to Ro for support.
The Evolution of Weight Loss Medications
The story of Ozempic and similar drugs dates back to the early 2000s. Initially developed as a treatment for diabetes, these medications were found to have weight-loss side effects. By 2006, non-diabetics began using them for weight loss, despite warnings from health professionals. Ozempic, approved by the FDA in 2017, was followed by Wegovy, a higher-dose version specifically for weight loss, in 2021. The introduction of Mounjaro in 2022 and other alternatives has further fueled the market.
However, experts warn that the promotion of these drugs by celebrities and influencers perpetuates “diet culture.” Danni Rowlands of the Butterfly Foundation notes that while the intention may be to reduce stigma, it ultimately reinforces societal ideals of beauty and thinness. This can add pressure and shame for those whose bodies do not conform to these ideals.
Health Risks and Societal Implications
The use of weight-loss medications raises concerns among health professionals, particularly regarding their impact on individuals with eating disorders. Clinical psychologist Dr. Bronwyn Raykos highlights the potential dangers of introducing these drugs during vulnerable periods of recovery. The Butterfly Foundation reports that over 1.1 million Australians suffer from eating disorders, with many young people expressing dissatisfaction with their bodies.
Dr. Natalie Jovanovski from RMIT University discusses the conflation of health and aesthetics on social media, where influencers promote products under the guise of health. This “lipo-literacy,” or superficial judgment based on body appearance, complicates the public’s understanding of health and wellness.
Dr. Marissa Olsen, a lecturer on nutrition and dietetics, emphasizes the need to challenge societal obsessions with weight. She argues for a broader definition of wellness beyond weight or BMI, advocating for compassion and critical literacy in evaluating health information.
Calls for Regulation and Accountability
As the market for weight-loss medications grows, experts call for stronger regulations and accountability, particularly concerning telehealth access. Danni Rowlands stresses the importance of comprehensive screening and informed consent, warning against the oversimplification of weight loss as a solution. Dr. Raykos adds that accessing these medications is often easier than obtaining eating disorder treatment, highlighting a need for better safeguards.
Addressing the root causes of diet culture and societal pressures requires everyday practices and critical thinking. Dr. Jovanovski suggests simple actions like avoiding discussions of dieting and weight loss in casual conversations. Dr. Olsen advocates for a compassionate approach to self-image, urging individuals to resist societal pressures to conform to idealized body standards.
For support with eating disorders and body dissatisfaction, contact the Butterfly National Helpline at 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673) or visit www.butterfly.org.au for online chat or email support, available 7 days a week from 8 am to midnight (AEST).
