Using Weight Loss Drugs May Come With a Downside We Don't Talk About

Two online experiments with 1,313 U.S. adults found stronger stigma toward fictional people who lost weight using GLP-1 drugs.

Participants judged GLP-1 users more harshly than people who lost weight through diet and exercise, and sometimes even more harshly than those who did not lose weight.

The findings suggest social judgment could make patients less likely to start or stay on effective treatments like Wegovy.

Researchers say this stigma could undermine medication adherence and limit health benefits for people using weight-loss drugs.