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Over the past few years, there has been a rise in the obesity epidemic worldwide, which has forced the medical community to search for novel ways to address the issue. As a result, a new class of drugs, called “anti-obesity” drugs, has emerged in the market. While these drugs do show promise in treating obesity, they come with an unexpected side effect – shaming.
Obesity is a complex issue, as it involves multiple factors, such as genetics, metabolism, lifestyle, and environmental factors. However, the common approach has been to place the blame squarely on the individual. Society has long divided people into the two categories of “thin” and “fat.” Thin people are revered and admired, while fat people are often ridiculed and shamed for their body size.
The introduction of anti-obesity medications has only worsened the situation. Instead of addressing the root causes of obesity, these drugs have reinforced the belief that individuals are solely responsible for their body weight. The message conveyed is clear – if you are fat, you are lazy and lack self-control.
This is problematic for multiple reasons, the most significant being that it ignores the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to obesity. It also disregards the fact that fat people face stigma and discrimination in their daily lives, leading to lower self-esteem, and mental health issues.
However, this is not to say that obesity should be entirely absolved of personal responsibility. A healthy lifestyle, including eating a balanced diet and regular exercise, can help prevent and manage obesity. However, it should be noted that this is not a “one size fits all” solution and may not be feasible for everyone, given their financial, social, and environmental circumstances.
Moreover, these new drugs not only shame individuals but also reinforce the societal message that being thin is desirable and healthy. This narrow and harmful narrative is damaging to individuals who may not fit into the mold of being “thin” and reinforces the idea that only thin people are healthy and desirable.
Furthermore, the weight loss achieved through these drugs is often short-term, and once the medication is discontinued, the weight returns, leading to the harmful cycle of crash dieting and weight gain. This unsustainable approach only perpetuates the idea that individuals are solely responsible for their body size, leading to further shame and stigmatization.
In addition, these drugs come with numerous side effects that can be detrimental to an individual’s overall health. For instance, they can lead to mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, and insomnia, as well as digestive problems such as constipation and diarrhea. Furthermore, they can also cause cardiovascular issues such as rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
It is time for a new approach to treating obesity – one that is holistic and empathetic. The current approach of shaming individuals has not been effective in treating obesity; instead, it has only led to further stigmatization and discrimination. Obesity treatment should focus on addressing the underlying genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that contribute to obesity, rather than placing the sole responsibility on individuals.
Moreover, treatment should also aim at empowering individuals to make sustainable changes to their lifestyles, including changes to their diet and physical activity. This should be done in a supportive and non-judgmental environment that takes into account an individual’s unique circumstances.
In conclusion, while anti-obesity drugs may seem like a solution to the obesity epidemic, they come with a devastating side effect – shaming. This narrow and harmful approach only reinforces the societal message that thin is the only acceptable standard of beauty and health.
Instead, we need to adopt a more holistic and empathetic approach to treating obesity, one that addresses the root causes of obesity and empowers individuals to make sustainable changes to their lifestyles. By doing so, we can create a society that is inclusive, diverse, and accepting of all body types and sizes.
