Ozempic & Body Positive: two opposing trends

About five years ago, the Body Positive trend started around the world, an idea that manifests the acceptance of the female body in all its forms, and has gained millions of followers, especially on social networks such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, among many others.

At the same time, Ozempic, a drug intended to treat Type 2 diabetes and also to help fight obesity, became fashionable. The problem arose when many celebrities who are not obese or diabetic started taking Ozempic to lose weight and eventually show it off on social media and in women's magazines. This drug has been taken by normal weight celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Sharon Osbourne, Lady Gaga, Jessica Chastain, Mindy Kaling, Christina Aguilera, Rebel Wilson among many others. Kim Kardashian admitted that she takes Ozempic to fit into the small dresses she wears and Khloe Kardashian defends her intake of this drug and regrets that it did not exist before, when she was a little overweight.

Ozempic

Ozempic, a drug initially designed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, has gained notoriety in recent years as an alternative for weight reduction. Its active ingredient, semaglutide, mimics the action of a natural hormone that regulates appetite, helping to reduce the sensation of hunger and improve control of blood glucose levels. Although its original objective was not weight loss, several studies have shown that Ozempic can be effective in reducing body weight in overweight or obese individuals, which has led it to be considered an attractive option both for diabetics and for those seeking to lose weight without the need for restrictive diets or intense physical exercise.

This drug has been praised by some as an elixir, although it has also raised considerable debate and criticism. Its high price restricts access to many people, since not all health insurance companies cover it for those who do not have diabetes. In addition, the impact on the health of those who use it without a prescription is unknown, and this misuse is causing shortages for those who really need it.

Body Positive

The Body Positive movement represents a current that challenges the canons of beauty established by today's society, which favor an idealized and uniform body image, predominantly associated with thin bodies. Its fundamental purpose is to question conventional norms about physical appearance, encouraging acceptance and respect for all body shapes and sizes. Body Positive maintains that all people, regardless of their outward appearance, have the right to feel good about themselves and to be treated with dignity and respect.

This movement highlights the importance of holistic health, which encompasses both emotional and psychological well-being. It promotes the idea that self-esteem should not be contingent on physical appearance or the expectations of others. It is a call to free oneself from the pressure to achieve unrealistic ideals and to value body diversity as intrinsically beautiful and meaningful.

Body Positive also seeks to transform the cultural narrative related to overweight and obesity, advocating for the understanding that people with larger bodies should not be subject to stigmatization and discrimination. In this sense, health should not be assessed solely through weight, but in terms of the ability to lead a full, satisfying and judgment-free life.

Final thoughts

The use of Ozempic for weight reduction has sparked significant debate regarding its connection to the Body Positive movement. At first glance, it might appear that advocating this concept is contradictory to the use of a drug aimed at decreasing body weight. However, this superficial analysis ignores the nuances of the movement and the many reasons that may lead people to opt for this treatment.

In essence, the Body Positive movement is not opposed to individuals making decisions about their health and body, including those involving weight loss, as long as such decisions are grounded in the promotion of personal autonomy and well-being. One of the central tenets of Body Positive is that each person has the right to decide about their own body without facing stigma. From this perspective, the use of Ozempic could coexist with the Body Positive philosophy, as long as it is not used as a means to conform to the beauty standards imposed by society.