Obesity has graced these pages before. The threat of obesity is among the most challenging in modern society.
See Fat Discrimination (June 2023), Obesity Again (January 2023). See also What's in a Name (August 2020); The BMI Conundrum (August 2022), Comorbidity of Obesity (October 2021), Stool Transplant? (October 2019). Obesity Can Kill Me? What Could Be Worse!? (March 2015), How will Risky Behavior and "Choices" Affect Employment Decisions (April 2013).
For years, Americans have spent incredible sums on health and fitness while obesity rates have recalitrantly soared. According to USA Facts, in the 1960s, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) categorized 13% of Americans as obese. Using the same definitions, that was over 40% in 2018. There was similar growth in the "severe obesity" and "child obesity" subsets.
To be fair, obesity is simultaneously deceptively simple and incredibly complex. The simple piece is math: calories consumed versus calories burned; burn fewer than you consume, and the body grows. But various hormonal, endocrine, and other contributors impact individuals differently or even uniquely.
Then came the solutions. There have been a variety of easy solutions. Some will remember the miracle of Fen-Phen, a cocktail of fenfluramine and phentermine prescribed in the 1990s. After approval and widespread use, the lawsuits were enough to drive it from the marketplace. It was not alone; there have been various panacea solutions: fad diets, cleanses, stimulants, and worse have been tried over the years.
The 21st century brought GLP-1 drugs for diabetes. These became newsworthy when users reported associated weight loss. That led people to seek them specifically for weight loss. That drove demand, price, and marketplace acceptance. It also led to evolution, and drug makers began marketing GLP-1 drugs specifically for weight loss.
The results are notable. While the GLP category contains various name brands and compounds, some claim it is reasonable to expect 5-10% decrease in body weight in 3 months. For a 5'4 person weighing 174 pounds, that could be an almost 18-pound loss.
Recently, a 28-year-old "opened up about her addiction" in a "vulnerable moment." The headline stopped me because it included "GLP-1," featured last year in Whoa Nelly! (June 2025); and Connecticut Price Fixing (July 2025). I know people who are taking these drugs, and have read much about them.
Nonetheless, I had not heard the word "addiction" associated with them. I had presumed those who undertook the therapy would use GLP-1s chronically. There are multiple references to addiction.
Scientific American noted that an AMA analysis concluded " the vast majority of people quit taking these drugs within two years," about 85% overall, with a larger drop "among those without type 2 diabetes." The study included "more than 120,000 people, with and without type 2 diabetes."
The immediate question is therefore "how sustainable" the drugs are in terms of effect. In other words, will the weight loss persist post-drugs? The Scientific American article notes that
"when a person who had been taking one of these medications stops, the hunger cues it had suppressed often come raging back, which causes the weight to return."
Admittedly, the study did not investigate results of cessation, but, relying on other investigations, the conclusion is that "regaining weight is almost inevitable." There is also a discussion that we are each preset to "a specific weight range their body naturally tries to maintain." Thus, when the drug-induced inhibitions disappear, we are inclined to regain weight, to return to our preset weight or range.
Back to the 28-year-old with the "vulnerable moment." She is a model, and "has been open about her use of GLP-1." She says she is an on-and-off user; she "fluctuates." She uses the word "addiction," but there is little in the article to support that word. An addiction is
"a compulsive, chronic, physiological or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, behavior, or activity having harmful physical, psychological, or social effects,"
According to Merriam-Webster. Nonetheless, the implication is that some people seek these drugs, abandon them after a time, and feel a need or desire to return to GLP-1. This may lead to questions about source and control issues. These are prescription drugs, but the internet abounds with sources and suppliers who offer access without those pesky doctor visits or other hurdles.
Thus, there is some indication that these diabetes drugs are regularly used by non-diabetics. And, it is practical that they are used by those who are not obese. Beyond the health risks of obesity, there is some feeling that weight loss and body image are important on a general level.
There was a time when compulsive weight loss received ample news coverage. The psychiatric diagnoses of anorexia and bulimia were newsworthy. Then came an era of "body positivity," when some believe the "self-love" and excuse led to increased fat-forgiveness and unhealthy lifestyle choices. Whose business is obesity, eating disorders, and drug use?
Earlier this year, as a movie franchise edition loomed, some questioned the appearance of one movie star. They noted that people were "talking about her body," and perceived a marked weight loss in recent years. The celebrity responded, essentially suggesting that people mind their own business, "I think we should be gentler and less comfortable commenting on people’s bodies, no matter what."
She suggested that we should, societally,
"dismantle fatphobia, and to slowly but surely push us toward a world where the size and shape of our bodies don’t function as indicators of our value."
That may seem a noble goal, but the American public loves body image. We spend almost $33 billion on diets and weight loss and $72 billion on GLP-1s each year. The whole of "fatphobia" and body image is big business. And there are causative or coincidental effects noted. The "vulnerable moment" model above says her business and income increased notably while on GLP-1.
In fairness, weight loss is tied to caloric consumption in some degree. Thus, if you elect to lick the donuts instead of actually eating them, weight loss may be inevitable. And, perhaps people will believe you are advocating against juvenile obesity. Others may believe you are disingenuous, which is mentioned in some reactions in that CNN article.
