Isn't Using Medication to Lose Weight Cheating? Addressing the Stigma

We've been surprised and saddened by some of the resistance patients have encountered from doctors, friends and family about the new GLP-1 medications. There's still a lot of stigma around obesity and some view these injections as 'cheating', as though those who are overweight need to be punished and to suffer in their pursuit of a healthy weight. This attitude is not only unhelpful, it's fundamentally misguided.

We don't apply this logic to other problems people have. No one says the same about nicotine replacement therapy for smokers, for example. No one tells a person with high blood pressure that taking medication to control it is 'cheating' and that they should just try harder to relax. No one tells someone with depression that antidepressants are a cop out and they should just cheer up. Yet somehow, when it comes to weight, there's an expectation that people should be able to manage it through willpower alone.

This attitude stems from the persistent and incorrect belief that obesity is simply a matter of eating too much and moving too little, that it's a moral failing rather than a complex medical condition with biological, psychological, and social components. As we've discussed, the reality is far more complicated. Some people's brains and bodies are genuinely wired in ways that make weight management extraordinarily difficult.

Being on weight loss medication isn't a quick fix. Patients still need to put in effort and work on ensuring long term change to their relationship with food. But for many people who have battled with their weight, it really does help them shed the pounds. It can give them the kickstart they need to address their weight and take up regular exercise and healthy eating.

The medication provides what we call 'symptom interruption', a break from the constant, exhausting food noise that makes it so hard to think clearly about eating. With that noise quietened, people can focus on making the deeper changes that will sustain them after the medication stops. Far from being a shortcut, taking these medications whilst also doing the psychological work is actually harder than just taking a pill and hoping for the best.

We believe passionately that for many people this medication will be a lifesaver, literally. Obesity is a significant cause of premature death. It increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and numerous other conditions. If medication can help someone escape these risks, why on earth would we judge them for taking it?

No one should feel shamed or made to feel guilty for trying to improve their health and wellbeing, however they choose to do it. If you're considering these medications, or if you're already taking them, please don't let other people's ignorance and prejudice make you feel bad about a sensible medical decision. You're not cheating. You're using the tools available to you to improve your health, and that takes courage and commitment.