Oprah Winfrey interviewing medical professionals about obesity during her ABC special "Shame, Blame, and the Weight Loss Revolution"

The Oprah Special: Understanding Weight Loss Drugs and Obesity

Recently ABC aired a special hosted by Oprah Winfrey debunking myths surrounding obesity and weight loss drugs. The special, “Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution”, covered the recent craze over weight loss drugs. Winfrey attempts to reintroduce the concept of obesity as a disease. She does so through the use of medical professionals and personal accounts, including her own. Despite how informational the special was, I found myself left with more questions than answers.

One of my biggest takeaways from this special is that obesity is a disease and not a choice. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines obesity as “a chronic, complex disease defined by excessive fat deposits that can impair health.” Additionally, medical professionals typically measure obesity through calculating an individual’s body mass index (BMI).

Understanding Obesity as a Complex Disease

In the special, Winfrey successfully demonstrated the ways in which obesity is a disease, similarly to the ways alcoholism presents itself. Many individuals who shared their experiences with obesity described it as a mental experience that translates into the physical experience.

I couldn’t help but think about the fact that I’ve been categorized as overweight and obese by my physician. Even though the anecdotes were powerful, my relationship with food has never been a mental experience.

I do not constantly think about the next meal or fantasize about food constantly. If anything, my anxiety causes me to not having an appetite. Luckily with the help of a nutritionist, I developed a healthy relationship with food.

Most health organizations list BMI as the sole tool used to calculate obesity. As a Black woman, I have always had a complicated relationship with BMI due to its white history.

Obesity is defined as a complex disease, therefore BMI is one of many factors to understand the condition. Yet, somehow, physicians fail to explain that.

Even though Winfrey’s special is informative, I am left wondering why the healthcare system inaccurately explains obesity.

If obesity is as complex as the special lets on to be, then I am left to question if as many people around the world are living with obesity as we are told.

Normalizing the Use of Weight Loss Drugs

During the special, Winfrey also attempts to normalize the use of weight loss drugs as a form of treatment for obesity.

As a woman who has been in the public eye for decades, Winfrey recounts her experience with fat-shaming. Similarly, Winfrey interviews a woman who shares that she not only gets treated with more respect since she’s lost weight, but so do her children.

With Ozempic and other weight loss drugs being hot topics of discussion over the past year, the special convinces one that maybe they are not so bad. Maybe they aren’t just a celebrity fad, but a life changing addition to the evolution of science.

Additionally, Winfrey is strategic in sharing anecdotes from people who are not able to afford them.

There is speculation that through bringing about this awareness on a national scale, insurance companies will consider covering these drugs.

That is not to say that there aren’t negative side effects to taking the drug, which the special touches upon. In fact, there is one woman who shares her experience with severe side effects, including vomiting. Her side effects were so severe that she stopped taking a weight loss drug. Since then, she has not started a new drug due to fear, but she is contemplating it.

In sharing this woman’s story, Winfrey is honest in the fact the weight loss drugs are not for everyone. At the same time, she shows that it can effectively change lives.

Moving Forward After the Special

All in all, I found the special to be informative, but there are still many questions that I have.

Due to the influx of people using these drugs for weight loss, there is a shortage of these drugs.

Additionally, what does this mean for the body positive movement? Is it a real movement or was it a facade to excuse obesity until people find the treatment that works best for them?

Hopefully as people continue to understand obesity, there will be more answers when it comes to weight loss and healthy living. Until then, continue to do research and consult with a medical professional before turning to the use of weight loss drugs.

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