The Reality of Stigma for Patients Using GLP-1 Medications

A new study published in Stigma and Health explored how people judge women who lose weight using newer medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists, and whether those perceptions differ based on race. These medications, which are increasingly used to treat obesity, are sometimes viewed as an “easy way out,” despite being medically prescribed treatments.

“GLP-1 medications can offer meaningful health benefits for people with obesity, but many patients report feeling shame and guilt for using them,” said Stacy Post, Ph.D., a social psychologist and postdoctoral researcher at Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. “Our results show that the ‘easy way out’ perception does more than spark casual criticism. It can translate into measurable stigma, including fat phobia and a desire for social distance.”

What Was the Study About?

Investigators wanted to understand how stigma (negative attitudes or judgments) affects women who use GLP-1 medications for weight loss. They also used a framework called intersectionality theory, which looks at how overlapping identities (like race and body weight) shape people’s experiences.

In the study, 402 women (both Black and White, all with overweight or obesity) were asked to read a short story about a woman named “Evette.” In different versions of the story:

• Evette was described as either Black or White.
• She lost 15% of her body weight through either diet and exercise or a GLP-1 medication.

Participants were then asked how they felt about Evette, including:

• Whether they blamed her for her weight
• How much they liked or disliked her
• Whether they believed she took a “shortcut”
• How comfortable they would be interacting with her

Key Findings

The results revealed some important (and surprising) patterns:

• More stigma with medication use: Women who lost weight using a GLP-1 medication were judged more harshly than those who used diet and exercise.
• “Shortcut” beliefs drove stigma: Participants were more likely to believe GLP-1 users took an “easy way out,” which increased negative attitudes.
• Unexpected racial differences: Contrary to what researchers expected, White women in the story were judged more harshly than Black women when using GLP-1 medications.
• The race of the participant didn’t change the outcome: Whether the person judging Evette was Black or White did not significantly affect these patterns.

Why This Matters for Patients

These findings highlight a real challenge: Even as new, effective treatments for obesity become available, social stigma hasn’t caught up with the science. Medications like GLP-1 receptor agonists are evidence-based tools, but people who use them may still face judgment.

This stigma can have real consequences:

• It may discourage people from seeking treatment.
• It can affect mental health and self-esteem.
• It may lead to delays in care or poor long-term outcomes.

The study also shows that perceptions of “acceptable” weight loss methods are deeply ingrained — and not always fair or accurate.

The Bigger Picture

Obesity is a complex, chronic condition, not simply a matter of willpower. Treatments like GLP-1 medications work by targeting biology, including appetite and metabolism. This research suggests that changing public attitudes is just as important as developing new treatments.

Reducing stigma could help ensure that more people feel comfortable accessing care and choosing the treatment that’s right for them.

“Having obesity carries many health challenges, including increased risk of cancer, diabetes and heart disease,” noted Post. “Treatment decisions should be guided by health, not judgments about how someone manages their weight. Reducing stigma means challenging the idea that there is only one ‘right’ way to lose weight, through willpower alone, especially for women, who face intense social scrutiny related to physical appearance and body size.”