September 21st 2023.
For over three decades, Oprah Winfrey has been leading a public discussion about weight struggles and the medications that could potentially serve as a “miracle” to the disease of obesity. On Wednesday, September 20th, she held a “State of Weight” conversation with a panel of obesity specialists to address the new weight-loss drugs that are reducing appetite and changing people’s relationship with food.
Known as Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy, these Type 2 diabetes medications are prescribed by doctors to help patients with weight loss. With more than 2 billion adults being overweight or obese, and obesity taking more lives than malnutrition, conversations around weight loss medications are crucial. Oprah, who has been dealing with her weight issues in the public eye for decades, expressed her readiness for the conversation.
“You all know I’ve been on this journey for most of my life. My highest weight was 237 pounds,” Oprah shared. “I don’t know if there is another public person whose weight struggle has been exploited as much as mine over the years. So I am ready for this conversation.”
The panelists explained why obesity is a disease due to the dysfunction it causes the brain in its view on how the body regulates weight. Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford highlighted that “It’s going on in our brains. It’s about how much we take in and how much we store.” Oprah agreed, citing how many times she has tried to diet, only for her weight to barely drop in size.
The new weight loss medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy contain the synthetic GLP-1 hormone called semaglutide, which the body releases into the intestine when people eat food. This reduces appetite and makes people feel full sooner. Mounjaro contains the GIP hormone which may improve how the body breaks down sugar and fat in addition to reducing appetite. However, it should be noted that these medications have side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, and constipation, along with more serious side effects of pancreatitis and kidney problems.
When looking at the results, Oprah asked the specialist if the weight loss medications could be seen as a “miracle moment” for obesity patients. Dr. Melanie Jay, co-director of the NYU Langone Comprehensive Program on Obesity, was hesitant and replied that “I would be very hesitant to say that anything with obesity is a miracle. I’m so excited that we finally have effective treatments for obesity.”
Oprah concluded the discussion by expressing her hope for breaking stigmas around obesity and weight loss medications. “It should be yours to own and not to be shamed about it. As a person who’s been shamed for so many years, I’m just sick of it. I’m just sick of it. I’m just sick of it. And I hope this conversation begins the un-shaming.”
With this conversation, Oprah and the panelists have opened up a necessary dialogue about obesity, weight loss medications, and the stigmas and shame that still surround them. Hopefully, this conversation will help to reduce the stigma and allow people to talk openly about their weight struggles without fear of judgement.
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