History repeating itself: anti-fat narratives in the ozempic and Fen-Phen eras

The U.S. has reached fever pitch over a new class of weight loss drugs called GLP-1 agonists (e.g. Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro). In this essay, we argue that the popularity of GLP-1s has notable implications for fat folks and for researchers. We overview the creation and current issues surrounding the use of GLP-1 agonists for weight loss and then draw parallels to Fen-Phen, another weight loss drug popular in the 1990s. Then, we describe four narratives that underlie the proliferation of weight loss drugs like Fen-Phen and GLP-1 agonists: (a) fatness is unhealthy, (b) fatness is a disease, (c) fatness is immoral, and (d) fatness should be eliminated at all costs. We close with two recommendations for scholars as we envision a more inclusive future for fat individuals: (a) learn the language of inclusivity and (b) examine deeply held beliefs about fatness and health.