The Daily Aus Part Three: Diet culture in the age of Ozempic
May 20, 2025
Dr. Emma Beckett, a food and nutrition scientist, discusses the surge in popularity of Ozempic, a diabetes medication repurposed for weight loss. She delves into how social media shapes body image perceptions, highlighting the return of thinness culture and its impact on modeling diversity. The conversation uncovers the mental health consequences of body dissatisfaction and critiques the societal pressures perpetuated by diet culture. Emma emphasizes the need for equitable access to healthcare and the psychological impacts of obesity stigma.
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Body Dissatisfaction and Social Media
- Body dissatisfaction affects about one in five Australians over 15 and drives disorders and mental health issues.
- Social media trends around weight loss drugs like Ozempic worsen appearance ideals and mental health vulnerability.
Diet Culture Fuels Fatphobia
- Current diet culture amplifies covert fatphobia leading to discriminatory treatment and opportunities.
- This cycle causes extreme dieting and harms biological health of individuals.
Shame Surrounds Weight Loss Drugs
- Weight loss drugs raise ethical debates and shame whether you take them or not.
- Society now divides 'good' weight loss by effort versus 'bad' by drug use.