However, new research from Rice University suggests the social experience of using these medications is more complex. In some situations, people who use them may face even more judgment than those who do not lose weight at all.

This unexpected result comes from a study led by Erin Standen, assistant professor of psychological sciences at Rice, published in the International Journal of Obesity. Her co-authors include Sean Phelan, professor of health services research at the Mayo Clinic, and Janet Tomiyama, professor of psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles.

“We expected there might be some stigma around using a GLP-1,” Standen said. “But what surprised us was the extent of it.”

Study Finds Greater Bias Against GLP-1 Users

In the study, participants were asked to evaluate a fictional individual based on their weight history. The person either lost weight using a GLP-1 medication, lost weight through diet and exercise or did not lose weight at all.

A clear pattern emerged. Participants viewed those who used GLP-1 medications more negatively than those who lost weight through traditional methods.

The findings went even further.

People rated the GLP-1 user more negatively than someone who had not lost weight at all.

“The GLP-1 users were socially penalized not just compared to someone who lost weight through diet and exercise,” Standen said. “They were also rated more harshly than someone who didn’t lose weight in the first place.”

Weight Loss Does Not Eliminate Stigma

The results point to a more complicated picture of weight stigma. Losing weight does not necessarily remove social bias. Instead, it may shift how that judgment is expressed.

“There’s this idea that if you lose weight, you might escape stigma,” Standen said. “But what we’re seeing is that people may face judgment at multiple points. They may be judged for their weight and for how they choose to manage it.”

This issue is especially relevant as GLP-1 medications become more widely used and discussed. Much of the judgment appears to be tied to perception rather than outcomes.

“There’s a narrative that using these medications is ‘taking the easy way out,'” Standen said. “And that belief seems to shape how people are judged.”

What Happens When Weight Is Regained

The researchers also examined a common situation among people who stop using GLP-1 medications. Many discontinue treatment due to cost, insurance limits or side effects. When they stop, weight regain is common.

The study found that this scenario also carries social consequences.

Participants viewed individuals who regained weight more negatively than those who lost weight and maintained it, regardless of whether the weight loss came from medication or lifestyle changes.

“There’s a lot of stigma tied to weight regain in general,” Standen said. “And that doesn’t seem to depend much on how the weight was lost in the first place.”

Health Impacts of Weight Stigma

According to Standen, these findings highlight concerns that go beyond social attitudes. Weight stigma has been consistently linked to negative mental and physical health outcomes. These include stress, avoiding medical care and unhealthy coping strategies.

“If people feel judged for the choices they’re making about their health, that can influence what they’re willing to do,” she said. “It can affect whether they seek care, whether they talk openly with providers and how they manage their health overall.”

As GLP-1 medications continue to enter the mainstream, understanding these social effects becomes increasingly important.

“This is a moment where these treatments are really entering the mainstream,” Standen said. “So understanding the social side of that is critical.”

Rethinking How Society Views Weight and Health

This research is part of a broader effort to encourage healthier choices without reinforcing stigma. Standen said her goal is to better understand how people can be supported without feeling judged.

“There’s such a strong cultural script around weight and what a ‘healthy’ body should look like,” she said. “And those messages can get in the way of people doing what’s actually best for them.”

She hopes the findings will help shift public attitudes.

“Ultimately, any form of stigma related to someone’s body or their health choices is not helpful,” Standen said. “People should be able to make decisions that are right for them without fear of being judged.”