Ozempic and wegovy Use Poised to Shift Thanksgiving Dynamics as Users Report Reduced Appetites
Millions of Americans using medications like Ozempic and wegovy may experience a markedly different Thanksgiving this year, as the drugs’ appetite-suppressing effects redefine traditional holiday eating habits. A recent Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index poll last month indicated a decline in the national obesity rate, coinciding wiht the increased use of these medications.
While previously prescribed for different purposes – Wegovy for weight loss and Ozempic for type 2 diabetes – both are GLP-1 agonists, wich work by mimicking a natural hormone to promote feelings of fullness, according to Cleveland Clinic.This shift is prompting conversations about navigating family gatherings where food frequently enough plays a central role in celebrations, and users are bracing for potential awkwardness.
“I’m proud of the progress I’ve made, but there’s definitely some anxiety that comes with knowing people might have opinions or make comments,” said one individual who uses GLP-1 medications, as told to USA Today.The concern centers around potential judgment or pressure from family members accustomed to encouraging generous portions and associating food with expressions of love.
Sabina Hemmi, founder of GLP Winner, a resource platform for information about GLP-1 medications, advises families to refrain from commenting on a loved one’s reduced appetite. “Food is its own cultural language, so when you have a medication that disrupts people’s relationship with food, it can feel kind of sad,” Hemmi explained to USA Today.
Hemmi suggests that Thanksgiving,already a potentially stressful holiday for those with families who promote overeating,could be made easier by simply accepting smaller plate servings without remark. ”Holidays are still special,” she added. “Those meals just might look a little different.” The FDA approved Wegovy as a weight loss medication and Ozempic to treat type 2 diabetes, contributing to a more than doubling in the use of GLP-1 drugs among both men and women in the past year, according to recent data.
