Here’s Why People Resent GLP-1 Use for Weight-Loss

People resent the use of GLP-1 medications so much that they spend their free time harassing others for taking them. But, over 40% of the population of the United States is obese. Consequently, the pharmaceutical industry spends much of its time dedicated to finding drugs and treatment options for obesity. In addition, the pharmaceutical industry and doctors have been touting GLP-1 medications as a miracle drug. So why do people resent GLP-1 use when they have a perfect solution to this major problem?

There are several answers to that question. The biggest reason is that most Americans blame the obese and morbidly obese for their predicament. They look down on them as lesser people. Also, the drugs are effective- so effective, that people see GLP-1 use as cheating. In addition, the drugs are expensive and cost-prohibitive to many individuals. Especially since many insurance plans don’t cover weight-loss-related medications and procedures.   On top of that, the difficulty of getting GLP-1s makes their use almost competitive.

What are GLP-1 Medications?

Before we go into why people resent their use, we must first understand who uses these medications and why.

Pharmaceutical companies created GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic and Mounjaro to treat Type 2 Diabetes.  They are medications that copy the effects of the hormone GLP-1. Your body naturally produces this hormone in the small intestine. It slows digestion and reduces appetite. It also tells the brain that your stomach is full, which reduces the brain’s focus on food. In addition, GLP-1 increases insulin and reduces glucagon production, which lowers your blood sugar. Doctors prescribe GLP-1s to weight loss patients because GLP-1s also incidentally significantly lower patient’s body weight over time.  And all of this is great, but with the good also comes the bad.

GLP-1 Medication’s Side Effects

Side effects like digestive issues are the most common- like diarrhea, bloating, constipation, nausea, and vomiting. People taking GLP-1 medications reported other side effects like dizziness, headaches, and fatigue. When a patient starts at lower doses and slowly increases, it alleviates most of the stomach issues associated with the medicine.

With these negative effects, why are people so willing to take these drugs? Doctors think that the negative effects of obesity often outweigh the risk of side effects associated with GLP-1 medications. And one of the biggest negative effects of obesity isn’t just medical- it’s societal.

People Resent GLP-1 Use by the Obese and Morbidly Obese

People think that if someone just had the willpower to lose weight, they would. Fat people are merely unintelligent, lazy gluttons, after all,  and therefore people rightfully shun them in society. Resentment of the obese in society is terrible. Employers pay obese people less than their thinner coworkers, and are less likely to promote them. In addition, talk to any obese or morbidly obese person about their daily life. They can tell you multiple stories about people rudely coming up to them with “helpful” advice, admonitions, or simple insults. And that is not to mention the staring and rude looks.  That is why people resent GLP-1 use amongst the obese- we are undeserving of having such a tool to use.

Obesity Myths in the Medical Community

And it’s not just regular people who act this way- doctors do, too. The medical community actually drives this sentiment. That is why people feel so righteous regarding their false beliefs about the obese. They feel like they have scientific support.

For instance, there was a recent 2022-2023 study that focused on healthcare provider’s perceptions of the morbidly obese. The results are telling: “58% of doctors believe that obesity is mainly due to lifestyle choices. 43% believe that those living with obesity can reach a healthy weight if they only “try hard enough.” 24% reported they believed most patients with obesity are metabolically healthy even though they are carrying extra weight. 67% think that they should require the obese to “demonstrate motivation to make lifestyle changes before they offer medical treatment.” It is clear from this that doctors are just people who resent GLP-1 use for the obese as well.

The medical community’s opinions about weight loss can make weight loss more challenging! As stated above, approximately 2 out of 5 adults in the United States live with obesity.   And we know that for most of those people, it’s difficult to lose weight for many reasons.  Studies show that obese people actually try hard to lose weight many times over their life. People living with excess body weight generally make 7 serious attempts to lose weight.

The Reality of Weight Loss Attempts

Scientific studies have shown that losing body mass and maintaining that loss is hard. The body does not respond well to weight loss. After losing weight, the body actively tries to put it back on. Even if you’re going from an ‘unhealthy’ weight to a ‘healthy’ weight according to the medical community.  

First, people need to understand the concept called set weight, or set point weight.  This means that our body hardwired a certain weight into our DNA as “our” weight. It is the weight that our bodies tend to maintain and resist changes from. Many factors, such as environment, genetics, and preferences, influence the set point weight. Our metabolism establishes it over a long period. It reflects what weight our body acclimated to over that same period. When your body deviates too far from it, it triggers you to gain weight back through the mechanisms below.

Resting Metabolic Rate

Following weight loss, the body’s resting metabolic rate slows. The resting metabolic rate is the total number of calories your body burns when it is completely at rest. Appetite hormones change as well, making you feel more hungry and less full. One study showed that when people lost 15% of the fat mass, the resting metabolic rate also decreased by 15%. This leaves a deficit in the amount of calories the body burns during rest.  The average person will burn 20-30% of daily calories through physical activity, and 60-70% through resting metabolic rate.  After drastic weight loss, that number can shrink from 60-70% to 45-55%.  

And, while you lose weight, studies show that your hunger hormone production increases. One study showed a successful diet caused 17% body fat loss and a 24% increase in daily hunger hormone production.  At the same time, the production of hormones that tell your body you are full decreases while you lose weight.  This causes constant hunger signals- your brain is basically screaming, “Feed me, Seymour!”.  And GLP-1 agonists relieve this problem effectively, which is on of the reasons people resent their use.

Metabolic Adaptation

Scientists call this phenomenon metabolic adaptation. When obese people attempt to lose weight, metabolic adaptation counteracts their weight-loss efforts. These metabolic adaptations don’t go away. Obese individuals must use other long-term weight management strategies that are far more than just diet and exercise.  Healthy eating and increased physical activity are important, yes. But for many people they may not be enough to keep the weight off because of these other factors. Doctors and the community at large should educate themselves about this rather than give in to popular opinion.

Turn Resentment into Compassion

People need to learn to be more compassionate to the obese and morbidly obese in society. We, the obese community in turn, need to learn to be more compassionate with ourselves.  They have no idea what we go through on a daily basis, or how hard we try to lose weight.  However, it can counter the stigma associated with obesity. We must arm ourselves with the knowledge that the more you try to lose, the harder your body fights back.

People Resent the Effectiveness of GLP-1’s

Another one of the things that people resent about GLP-1 use is that they are very effective. Studies show that drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro help people lose as much as 15% of their body weight. That’s an impressive number. And it affects members of the weight loss community in several different ways.

Jealousy in People who Resent GLP-1 Use

The first segment of people that resent GLP-1 use as cheating are those that, for whatever reason, don’t have access to GLP-1s. These people are, frankly, just jealous. You hear complaints online like “Wow! If I had Ozempic I wouldn’t have had to work so hard to lose weight!” Or even “My doctor doesn’t believe in that!” and “It’s too expensive for me!”. No matter the reason, jealousy drives their primary resentment. They show this resentment towards people who both obtain that prescription and who can simultaneously afford it.

And all I can say to that is: that green is not your color. Just because you don’t have access to something doesn’t mean someone else shouldn’t be able to derive benefit from it. Don’t blame them because you can’t get your GLP-1 medicine! In response to the complaints above- the pharmaceutical company charging the outrageous price is at fault. The doctor who won’t prescribe it is at fault. Not the individual taking the GLP-1.

“Natural” Weight Loss is Superior

The second community of people that resent GLP-1 use is a very vocal segment. Have you ever heard the adage “eat right and exercise and you will lose weight”? They tout “natural weight loss” as far superior to any other form of weight loss. Proponents believe that lifestyle changes and healthy habits are the only ways that a person should attempt to lose weight. They look down upon reliance on extreme diets, medications, or surgical interventions. They often see these other options as cheating.

I’m not here to tell you that there is anything wrong with losing weight “naturally.” And I don’t believe in extreme dieting, myself. There is too much chance of gaining all the weight back after an extreme diet. But I also don’t look down on others for having undergone weight loss surgery or having taken medications to lose weight. I certainly don’t see it as cheating, and it’s wrong of others to do so. I am not one of the people that resents GLP-1 use amongst the obese. Here’s why:

Not Everyone Loses Weight the Same Way

Sometimes people can have excellent diet habits, exercise daily, and they just don’t lose weight. Some need to address mental health issues with medication to have the mental capacity to focus on weight loss. Some people’s obesity exacerbates so many chronic health problems that they can’t lose weight fast enough to save their lives. They need further intervention that simple diet and exercise can’t cover. Other examples are insulin resistance, genetic predisposition, problems with fullness cues caused by faulty brain signals. All of these require some form of further intervention than simple diet and exercise can cover.

Many hidden issues could necessitate the use of weight-loss tools like GLP-1s and surgical intervention. Behind every GLP-1 dose is a doctor who believed that the drug was a necessary prescription. As we saw above, the medical community is not immune to bias against the obese and morbidly obese. That should count for something to those paying attention.

People Resent the High Cost of GLP-1 Use

It should be no surprise to anyone that the pharmaceutical industry is cashing in on the excitement over GLP-1s.  The drugs treat diabetes extremely effectively. They also help reduce weight in patients by a significant amount in combination with diet and exercise programs.

Let’s look at the monthly cost of the various GLP-1s on the market as reported by the various companies. The most popular drugs right now, and the ones at the center of the GLP-1 craze, are Ozempic and Mounjaro. The pharmaceutical companies named them Wegovy and Zepbound respectively in the weight-loss market. However, there are other older drugs on the market that have similar effectiveness. A list of all these drugs and their costs is in the table below.

Generic Name	Brand Name	Monthly Cost
Semaglutide	Ozempic Rybelsus Wegovy	$935.77 $935.77 $1349.02
Tirzepatide	Mounjaro Zepbound	$1023.04 $1059.87
Dulaglutide	Trulicity	$930.88
Liraglutide	Victoza Saxenda	$744.54 $1349.02
Exanitide	Byetta Bydureon Bcide (as exanitide extended release)	$940 $855

These costs, which are what the drug companies charge before any health insurance kicks in, are high. In many cases, health insurance carriers specifically prohibit weight-loss drugs and weight-loss-related treatments from their plans. The average American can’t afford such a high cost every month. Therefore it creates yet another way for people to resent others’ access to the drugs.

High Cost and Health Insurance Coverage

When faced with this growing resentment, you have to ask yourself, “Why doesn’t my health insurance cover weight loss drugs or procedures?” After all, many chronic health problems and diseases link directly to obesity as a root cause.  In fact, go to any doctor and they blame any health problem you complain about on the fact that you are fat.  It is clear that medical community feels that obesity is practically the root cause of all evil.

When you research online to find out the answer to this question, you find the following. Health insurance companies, including Medicare and Medicaid, generally don’t cover weight loss medications. Many insurers consider weight loss a cosmetic want rather than a medical need. Insurance companies fight coverage for weight-loss drugs, arguing that obesity is not a disease but a behavioral problem. And even though some  insurers do cover weight loss drugs, others refuse such coverage.  Studies show that once you go on an obesity medication, you generally have to stay on it for life.  This is a major concern for them, since they don’t want to cover the cost for that long. 

Obesity and Chronic Disease Coverage

Take the time to research what types of disease and chronic conditions are directly linked to obesity. You’ll find that if insurance companies covered these drugs, they would likely save money in the long-run.  Dr. Anuvitha Kamath, MBBS posted in response to this very question.

Obesity causes “increased blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, heart problems, high cholesterol levels leading to dyslipidemia, stroke, gall bladder disease, breathing problems, and sleep apnea.” She continues, “It can also cause polycystic ovarian disease in females, generalized tiredness and weakness, osteoarthritis- degeneration of cartilage, and body pain.”

Other sources indicate additional diseases linked to obesity, including infertility, fatty liver disease, and certain cancers (breast, colon, and endometrial).  

While insurance covers all of these separate serious diseases, why then would health insurers not cover obesity? Treatment of this condition would likely reverse the need for blood pressure medications, diabetes medications, and statins for heart conditions. CPAP machines and supplies for sleep apnea. Chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer. And a whole host of chronic pain medications for all manner of conditions.   It makes no earthly sense.  Unless you consider the fact that health insurance companies are like the medical community and society in general. They resent the mere existence of the obese and morbidly obese and discount them as worthy of medical treatment.

People Resent the Limited Access to GLP-1 Medications

Aside from the high cost fueling resentment, there is also a constant nationwide shortage of Ozempic and Mounjaro. Both high consumer demand for the drugs and lack of supply on the market cause this shortage. People feel outrage on behalf of themselves and others when they can’t obtain their needed prescriptions.

I am experiencing the effects of this myself right now. My doctors prescribed me Mounjaro for my Type 2 diabetes at my request last year in October, 2023. Mounjaro is currently out of stock across the nation at the 7.5mg, 10mg, and 12.5mg doses. Just today I had to take a 5mg dose because I am regularly on 10mg and couldn’t get it. Anywhere. I spent days calling around to pharmacies all over. 

Finally I spoke with my doctor’s office, and they suggested I switch to 5mg since it was available. My insurance won’t cover two 5mg shots. I must take half the needed dose until pharmaceutical companies rectify the supply issue.  It was a very frustrating experience and I understand how it could cause someone to become upset. I can only hope the necessity to switch to 5mg doesn’t negatively impact my weight loss journey! I understandably find this situation upsetting, but who is to blame?

The Blame Game

Most people online seem to blame the individuals taking the GLP-1s themselves. There is growing animosity among users of the drugs caused by this shortage.  It pits people against each other, causing people to judge who is more worthy of the available supply. They resent the use of GLP-1s by the obese and morbidly obese.  They should, however, assign blame where it properly belongs. 

The blame does not lay with the people who need these drugs.  It does not lay with people with Type 2 diabetes, very true. But nor does it lay with the obese people who need the drug to assist in weight loss.  Place blame with the doctors who are over-prescribing the drugs. Blame especially with the pharmaceutical companies which manufacture these drugs. And last, blame the health insurance companies that won’t cover weight-loss drugs. Even in direct opposition to the health statistics regarding obesity and chronic health issues.

Manufacturing Issues

Eli Lilly is the manufacturer of Mounjaro. The company released a statement regarding the supply shortages: “Due to continued dynamic patient demand across doses, Lilly anticipates intermittent backorders on certain doses of Mounjaro, we recognize this situation may cause a disruption in people’s treatment regimens and we are moving with urgency to address it.” The company continued that it intends to “invest and add manufacturing and supply capacity around the world.”

In this same statement released above, Eli Lilly also claims that Zepbound is readily available at all doses on the market.  If that is the case, why is it that people who rely on Mounjaro for their diabetes, like me, are not able to obtain the drug? Ask health insurers who refuse to cover Zepbound because Eli Lilly markets it as a weight-loss drug.  Insurers are more likely to cover Mounjaro, so doctors prescribe it more often- even for weight loss patients.

Blame Shifting

While people in ‘coming years’ may be happy that they can obtain Mounjaro on a timely basis, what are people to do now? Eli Lilly went on attack in a recent advertisement, at an apparent attempt to limit who can access their drug Mounjaro especially. “Some people have been using medicine never meant for them,” a voice-actor states. “For the smaller dress or tux, for a big night, for vanity. But that’s not the point. People whose health is affected by obesity are the reason we work on these medications … It matters who gets them.”

David Ricks, CEO of Eli Lilly, also indicated to CNN that Eli Lilly made Mounjaro and Zepbound for people struggling with health issues and not “just to have someone who’s famous look a little bit better. …So we need to prioritize, and that’s what this ad’s about, is prioritizing those who need it most.”

The Reality of the Situation

Clearly Eli Lilly wants people to resent people who use GLP-1’s as vain. But this is a cleverly devised method of damage control. In reality, only a very small percentage of the population that takes Mounjaro fits this description. And it isn’t the people who want to lose weight who are to blame. They simply want access to the drug, and often are not aware that the meds are not readily available. Even if they are aware, they are just happy to have the opportunity to take such an effective medication.

It is the doctors who prescribe the medication when the individual doesn’t meet diagnostic criteria to obtain the drug that are to blame. It is the health insurer who refuses to cover Zepbound for weight loss. And it is Eli Lilly to blame for not directing its record profits from this drug into manufacturing sooner instead of first implementing corporate bonuses and lining shareholder’s pockets.

Closing Thoughts on Resentment and GLP-1 Use

In this blog post, I’ve attempted to look at why people use GLP-1s and why other people resent them for it. I’ve shown that people simply resent the obese population. Instead, they believe in myths propped up by the medical community rather than in reality. 

Additionally, people resent the fact that GLP1’s are highly effective. They are jealous of the results and resent people who can both afford and obtain these drugs. Yet others are look down on any form of weight loss outside of diet and exercise. Even though some people can’t lose weight without the assistance of these drugs or other medical intervention.

The high cost of the drugs fuels resentment because the average American can’t afford such a high monthly bill. Insurance often doesn’t cover these drugs unless for Type 2 diabetes. Last, the difficulty people have obtaining the drugs makes people resent those who use them. They resent them instead of the true culprits behind the shortages. And I understand all of the resentment and where it is coming from. 

Blame the Right People!

However, I don’t agree with where most people place the blame.  I firmly blame the pharmaceutical companies that manufacture these drugs. The doctors who prescribe them to people who don’t mean diagnostic criteria are at fault, too.  I equally blame the health insurance companies who refuse to cover weight-loss drugs because they are “cosmetic” in nature. It is simply unfair to blame people for wanting to take a GLP-1 to lose weight. Especially when the drugs are so incredibly effective.

And no matter how we lose weight, it’s important to know that we need to stick together as a community. We need to support eachother.  No matter what, even if we disagree about how to best lose weight.  Being a part of a community strengthens our resolve to lose weight. It also gives us an invaluable resource to learn from and grow from, together.

We’ve got this.