Oprah Winfrey Shares New Perspective on Thinness Amid Ozempic Trend

Oprah Winfrey opened up about her evolving perspective on weight and her experiences with GLP-1 medications like Ozempic during a conversation with Dr. Ania Jastreboff on The Oprah Podcast on January 21. The media icon, who now weighs 72 kg, shared her insights into the misconceptions she held about thin people and the stigma surrounding weight.

Reflecting on her past beliefs, Oprah admitted, “I realized how wrong I was to believe that thin people had more willpower and ate better foods.” She explained how GLP-1 medications, including Ozempic, work by reducing cravings and slowing digestion, allowing users to eat when hungry and stop when full. “Thin people are not even thinking about it,” she claimed. “They’re eating when they’re hungry and stopping when they’re full.”

During the podcast, Oprah also opened up about the challenges she faced that led her to explore weight-loss medications. She recalled being a frequent target of tabloid exploitation and ridicule, saying, “I was exploited by the tabloids every week.” Additionally, she noted that comedians often mocked her weight on stage, which she initially accepted as something she “deserved.”

However, Oprah now rejects that notion, affirming that she did not deserve such treatment. While her candid discussion resonated with many, some of Oprah’s comments about thin people sparked backlash on social media.

Critics argued that her generalizations about thin individuals were irresponsible. One Instagram user commented, “Thin people also think about food all the time, but they work hard to manage their physical and mental needs and not by taking medication.” Another wrote, “I beg to differ. My experience is that while I may be thin… I do think about food and I would love to snack at any time. Not immune to the cravings.”

Some critics also emphasized discipline and lifestyle changes over medication. “It’s simple math… burn off more than you take in!! It takes discipline. You have to move your body!” one commenter remarked.

Despite the mixed reactions, Oprah’s openness about her journey continues to spark dialogue about weight loss, societal expectations, and the pressures faced by those in the public eye. Her reflections offer a nuanced perspective on the complexities of body image and the evolving science of weight management.