Even with diet and exercise, Ozempic use reduces perceived effort and praiseworthiness of resulting weight loss

Datos Bibliográficos

ID5658313
AutoresMaria Bachmakova (0009-0000-2737-2478, University of Oxford), Mey Bahar Buyukbabani (0009-0002-6309-5222, University of Oxford), Vilius Dranseika (0000-0002-1144-1624, Jagiellonian University), Rebecca C H Brown (0000-0001-8023-1092, University of Oxford), Katrien Devolder (0000-0001-5022-4473, University of Oxford), Nanette Ryan (0009-0007-7540-149X, National University of Singapore), Julian Savulescu (0000-0003-1691-6403, University of Oxford), Jim A C Everett (0000-0003-2801-5426, University of Kent), Ivar R Hannikainen (0000-0003-0623-357X, Universidad de Granada), Brian D Earp (0000-0001-9691-2888, University of Oxford)
Año2025
Volumen386
Páginas118657
Fecha de publicación2025-12-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaSocial Science & Medicine (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0277-9536 • E-ISSN: 1873-5347
EditorialElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118657
PMID41092747
OpenAlexW4414989100
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas39

The injectable medication Ozempic (semaglutide) has demonstrated unprecedented effectiveness in promoting significant weight loss. However, its use has sparked moral debates, with critics dismissing it as a mere "shortcut" compared to traditional methods like diet and exercise. This study investigates how weight loss method-Ozempic, diet/exercise, or a combination of both-impacts perceptions of effort, praiseworthiness, and identity/value change. We used a contrastive vignette technique in two experiments (combined N = 1041, demographically representative for age, sex, and ethnicity) to study the attitudes of US participants toward a fictional character who lost 50 pounds through one of the three described methods. Weight loss through diet/exercise alone was deemed most effortful and most praiseworthy, whereas Ozempic use, even when combined with diet/exercise, was rated as both less effortful and less praiseworthy than diet/exercise alone. Ozempic use with no mention of diet/exercise was rated as least effortful and least praiseworthy. Compared to diet and exercise alone, Ozempic use also decreased perceptions that the individual had really changed as a person, or experienced a change in their underlying values. We discuss potential implications, address study limitations, and provide suggestions for further work

Behavioral Health and Interventions · Diet and metabolism studies · Eating Disorders and Behaviors