New Zealand’s Weighty Dilemma: Ozempic, Obesity, and a Retreat from Body Positivity
By Dr. Michael Lee, World-Today-News.com – September 11, 2023
AUCKLAND, NZ - New Zealand is grappling with a complex and increasingly visible health crisis: a rapidly growing obesity rate coupled with the rise of expensive, and perhaps problematic, weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. While these medications offer a seemingly quick fix, their impact extends far beyond individual health, raising concerns about societal pressures, the fashion industry, and a potential backslide in the hard-won gains of the body positivity movement.
Officially, New Zealand ranks as the third most overweight nation in the OECD, with a staggering one in three adults and one in ten children classified as obese.This epidemic places an enormous strain on the nation’s healthcare system, contributing to a surge in chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, cancers, and neurological disorders. The economic cost is estimated to be in the billions of dollars annually.
The emergence of drugs like Ozempic, initially designed for diabetes management, has offered a new avenue for weight loss. however, access comes at a meaningful price - both financially for individuals and, increasingly, socially.
“These drugs coming have meant there’s a real renewed focus on thinness… you have people openly talking about wanting to get thinner, needing to get thinner, and it’s like, why though?” asks Evelyn Ebrey, a fashion journalist and creator of the documentary series Cutting the Curve, which focuses on plus-size models.
This renewed emphasis on thinness is already impacting the fashion industry. Ebrey reports a dramatic 50% decrease in curve models featured during London Fashion Week earlier this year, a concerning trend given their already limited representation. This shift creates pressure on models to conform to shrinking size standards, potentially leading them to consider weight-loss drugs to maintain their careers.
though,experts caution against viewing these medications as a miracle cure. Auckland University Professor wayne Cutfield, a leading researcher in obesity and gut health, emphasizes that Ozempic and Wegovy are expensive, require long-term commitment, and come with potential side effects.
“There are no easy fixes,” Professor Cutfield told The Detail. “Ozempic is associated with quite appreciable weight loss, but you still need to eat a healthy diet; you can’t just absolutely free range and hope that Ozempic will fix the obesity problem, and at great cost.”
Moreover, the roots of New Zealand’s obesity crisis run deep, starting at a young age. Professor Cutfield points to alarming statistics: New Zealand’s five-year-olds are the second most obese children globally.This underscores the need for comprehensive, long-term solutions that address the underlying causes of obesity, including diet, exercise, and societal factors.
The situation presents a arduous balancing act. While addressing the health consequences of obesity is crucial,the pursuit of thinness at all costs risks exacerbating body image issues and undermining the progress made in promoting body positivity and acceptance. New Zealand must navigate this complex landscape with a nuanced approach that prioritizes health and well-being,recognizing that a healthy society embraces diversity in body size and shape.
Image Credits:
* AFP – Ozempic medication vial
