It's Been a Minute The difference between losing weight & being "healthy"
Jan 16, 2026
In this engaging discussion, Dr. Kellie Carter-Jackson, Chair of Africana Studies at Wellesley College, and Dr. Mara Gordon, a family physician and NPR columnist, tackle the complexities of obesity and diet culture. They explore how Oprah Winfrey's weight narrative shapes societal attitudes towards thinness as a status symbol. The conversation dives into the benefits of GLP-1 medications but highlights persistent fatphobia. They argue for a more nuanced understanding of health that prioritizes individual experiences over societal pressures.
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Oprah's Weight Story Shaped Cultural Standards
- Oprah's weight journey has been decades-long and highly public, shaping cultural expectations about thinness.
- Kellie Carter Jackson argues it creates an unattainable standard that thinness equals full achievement.
Oprah's Yo-Yo Weighting Over Decades
- Kellie Carter Jackson recounts Oprah's repeated dramatic weight changes since 1988, including liquid diets and marathon training.
- She says Oprah's yo-yo weight narrative has shaped the public perception of her for decades.
Drugs Don't Erase Weight Stigma
- GLP-1s blur medical treatment and cultural pressure by shrinking bodies while not addressing stigma.
- Mara Gordon warns the medicines treat physiology well but don't erase weight-based social stigma.
