More than half of Britons who have taken GLP-1 weight loss medication have kept it a secret, according to new research commissioned by digital healthcare provider Voy. The study reveals that eight in ten (83%) of eligible adults believe there is a stigma attached to using weight loss medication, and over half of those taking injections such as Mounjaro or Wegovy have concealed their usage from loved ones due to fear of judgment.
The findings come as a new oral GLP-1 weight loss pill is launched in the UK, offering what experts hope will be a more discreet treatment option. Among eligible adults, more than two thirds (69%) say they would be more likely to take a daily oral weight loss medication than a weekly injection.
Stigma and barriers remain widespread
When asked why they believe people are judged for using weight loss medication, respondents cited concerns that others would accuse them of taking shortcuts, having poor self-discipline, or that weight loss should only come from lifestyle changes. Practical barriers also persist among those who have refused a GLP-1 despite potential health benefits: 15% said they are too scared of injections, while others cited concerns about cost (59%) or side effects (32%).
Oral treatment could shift perceptions
The arrival of oral GLP-1 treatments could mark a significant shift in how weight management support is perceived and accessed, offering a cheaper and more convenient alternative, according to Voy. Dr Earim Chaudry, Chief Medical Officer at Voy, said: "The arrival of oral GLP-1 medication represents an important step forward, not only because it expands treatment choice, but because it could help remove some of the barriers that prevent people from accessing care in the first place. For many, a daily tablet may feel more familiar, more convenient and more discreet than an injectable treatment."
Dr Chaudry added: "Yet, while treatment options evolve, the stigma surrounding obesity remains. For too long, perceptions around obesity treatment have been shaped by misconceptions and judgment rather than medical evidence. The pill may reduce some of the visible markers of treatment, but the deeper work of changing how society thinks about obesity cannot be done by format alone. That requires a shift in how we talk about this condition at every level."
