Oprah Winfrey Opens Up About Year-Long Break From Weight Loss Medication
CHICAGO, Ill. — Oprah Winfrey, the media mogul and philanthropist, recently shared a candid account of her experience stopping weight loss medication for an entire year, shedding light on the complexities of managing obesity and the stigma surrounding treatment. Winfrey’s revelation comes after she publicly disclosed in 2023 that she was using GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class of drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration to aid in weight management.
In an exclusive interview with People Magazine, Winfrey reflected on the backlash she encountered upon admitting to being on medication. “I knew that admitting to being on medication was going to be a big freaking deal. I knew I was going to get lots of pushback. And I did,” she said. This reaction highlights the societal stigma that persists despite growing medical recognition of obesity as a chronic disease.
Winfrey disclosed that just six months after beginning the GLP-1 injections, she decided to stop “cold turkey” in an effort to test whether she could maintain her progress without the medication. “I tried to beat the medication,” she admitted. Her decision followed a pivotal moment during a panel discussion with obesity experts, where she came to understand a key scientific insight: “overeating doesn’t cause obesity. Obesity causes overeating.” This reframing, she described, was “the most mind-blowing, freeing thing I’ve experienced as an adult.”
Despite maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine during the 12 months off medication, Winfrey experienced weight regain. She concluded that, similar to other chronic conditions, obesity requires ongoing management. “It’s going to be a lifetime thing. I’m on high blood pressure medication, and if I go off the high blood pressure medication, my blood pressure is going to go up. The same thing is true now, I realize, with these medications. I’ve proven to myself I need it,” she said.
The GLP-1 drugs, including medications like semaglutide, have gained attention for their role in appetite regulation and weight loss, as detailed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, experts emphasize that these treatments are part of a comprehensive approach to obesity, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes as a complex, chronic disease influenced by genetics, environment, and metabolism.
Winfrey’s openness about her journey and the challenges of discontinuing medication underscores the importance of addressing weight management without shame. Her experience also aligns with guidance from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, which advocates for personalized, sustained treatment plans for obesity.
As public figures like Winfrey share their stories, conversations about obesity and treatment may evolve beyond stigma toward greater understanding and support for those managing this condition over the long term.
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