“Summer bods” are the summer fashion. People rush to the gym as soon as the new year starts to start prepping for the “perfect body for summer”. People diet, lift weights, and do more cardio, but recently, people have turned to another option. One seen as easier: GLP-1 medications.
Since the beginning of time, people have desired the “perfect body”. Hundreds of years ago, men selected wives predominantly because of wealth and reputation in the hopes of getting married. The same goal was for women, to land a man, but their desires turned inward, so they stopped eating, turned to corsets and some even began to take drugs to make them appear more petite and suitable for a man’s liking.
In society today, there is a similar goal for both men and women: to be smaller and have a “snatched waist” or a more muscular body. Social media, advertising and the modeling industry have promoted the idea of a “perfect body” for years. This ideal body consists of a tiny waist, thick thighs and a prominent chest.
GLP-1 medications were originally meant to be used for people who have problems with diabetes or obesity, but in recent years, they have become the fad for losing weight fast and efficiently. Medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound and Saxenda have blown up in popularity since the 2020 pandemic.
Back in 2005, a company called AstraZeneca came up with a new idea; create a hormone to help the pancreas release insulin and control blood sugar. Over the years Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have emerged as prominent figures in the industry. Novo Nordisk is in control of GLP-1’s such as: Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus and Victoza. Eli Lilly has produced medications such as: Mounjaro, Zepbound and Orgforglipron. These companies have some of the most well-known GLP-1’s known in America.
In the early 2000’s there was a similar trend: “Heroin chick”. This fad glorified extremely slim bodies. Models and celebrities would show protruding hip and collarbones, which people would result in using drugs to create a slimmer appearance to match their favorite celebrities. In today’s world there is a similar issue. Celebrities such as the cast of Wicked are believed to be using hardcore weight loss drugs in order to create a slimmer appearance in the movie. Celebrities and influencers such as Oprah Winfrey, Elon Musk and Rachael Knight Guellete are confirmed to be using GLP-1’s and will often be seen promoting these products. While promoting it is not always a negative thing, it can be.
Promoting it can lead to eating disorders, body dysmorphia and drug use. Due to the expensive price of GLP-1 medications, people tend to look for cheaper options- ones that are not always safe.
