Today, Explained
What Ozempic can't fix
Feb 26, 2024
Alice Fullwood, an economics writer at The Economist, and Kate Mann, an associate professor at Cornell, dive into the harsh realities of fatphobia in America. They discuss how fat women earn less than their thinner counterparts and face obstacles in promotions. The conversation critiques the societal pressure for weight loss linked to economic and career opportunities. They evaluate the efficacy of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, revealing that economic success goes beyond mere body transformation and challenges deep-rooted biases in health and employment.
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Quick takeaways
- Thin women face economic benefits compared to overweight women due to fatphobia and wage penalties.
- Weight loss drugs like Ozempic may not address underlying issues and perpetuate stigma against overweight individuals.
Deep dives
Economic Incentive for Women to Be Thin
Being thin as a woman is linked to economic benefits, as seen in charts correlating BMI with income, showing a negative relationship for women compared to men. Academic research highlights a wage penalty for overweight women, especially in highly educated positions. Losing weight for women can be as economically beneficial as obtaining an additional year of education.
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