Key Points
- Florida State University assistant professor Braidyn Lazenby conducted a study showing that many GLP-1 users felt stigmatized within their own social networks.
- The GLP-1 stigma affected how participants talked about their medication use, including reluctance to express interest in a GLP-1 to their healthcare providers, concealing from friends and family, downplaying its weight-loss effects or being compelled to justify taking the medication because of an underlying health condition.
People taking popular GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound may face stigma from those closest to them, according to a new study by a Florida State University professor.
Braidyn Lazenby, an assistant professor at FSU’s College of Communication & Information, led the study “‘They Call Us Cheaters:” Exploring Stigma Management Communication Strategies During GLP-1 Medication Use.’” The findings were published last week in Health Communication.
Lazenby and her fellow researchers conducted open-ended, one-on-one interviews with 34 adults who were taking GLP-1 medications for weight management, metabolic disorders and other health conditions. Researchers used the reflexive thematic analysis method to identify recurring patterns in participants’ experiences.
The findings showed that many participants felt stigmatized within their own social networks, sometimes because they heard friends or romantic partners criticize other people for using GLP-1 medications.
“There is a tension between people’s closest social networks and stigmatizing conversations,” Lazenby said. “Many of our participants would say, ‘My best friend doesn’t know I’m on a GLP-1 because I’ve heard them talk poorly about someone else on a GLP-1,’ or ‘I was dating a romantic partner, and they made a comment about someone who had lost rapid weight, and they said that they’re obviously on the ‘jab.’”
That stigma affected how participants talked about their medication use. Some said they were reluctant to express interest in a GLP-1 to their healthcare providers, concealed it from friends and family, downplayed its weight-loss effects or felt compelled to justify taking the medication because of an underlying health condition.
“These comments were deeply stigmatizing to people,” Lazenby said. “I think the general public should know that these comments make a difference. When in doubt, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all, because we need our social networks in our lives, and we know that social networks are a huge part of human well-being.”
Lazenby’s research focuses on interpersonal health communication, including how people navigate difficult conversations about health with healthcare providers, friends, family members and romantic partners.
The study also highlights what researchers call the “weight bias paradox.” People can face stigma because of their weight while also being judged for how they choose to lose weight.
“What’s really fascinating about this research is even when participants were not taking the medication for weight loss, and strictly for medical purposes, they still felt the weight bias paradox,” Lazenby said. “We saw them engaging in stigma management in very similar ways to people who were taking the medications for weight loss.”
Lazenby, whose idea for the study came after GLP-1 discussions within her own social network, focuses on translating health communication scholarship into practical information for the public. Reporters interested in interviewing her about social stigmas surrounding GLP-1 use may reach out to her via email at bl24k@fsu.edu.
Braidyn Lazenby, Assistant Professor, Florida State University
Can studies like these play a role in shifting a cultural narrative on obesity?
“When it comes to obesity, we must remember that every person’s experience is very unique, every person’s body is very unique and every person’s health decision is also unique. I think it’s a call for more tailored healthcare messaging, that we’re looking at a person holistically and not just their weight. We need to make sure that when a person decides to change their body in a certain way, we are encouraging and emphasizing ways that are healthy to the person. We want to make sure that if a person does decide to take a GLP-1 for weight loss, that they are having conversations with a healthcare provider, and that the healthcare provider is also providing information related to doing this in a way that is sustainable and emphasizes long-term well-being and longevity.”