Ozempic chic: Doctor reveals truth behind Hollywood’s new trend
Demi Moore (photo: Getty Images)
Ozempic chic is a term that is increasingly appearing on social media when discussing the latest trends among Hollywood stars. Recently, several famous actresses, singers, and other celebrities have lost a significant amount of weight, and fans are concerned about whether such low body weight could be affecting their health.
Ukrainian dietitian and endocrinologist Kateryna Tolstikova explains whether such dramatic weight loss could really be the result of Ozempic, how dangerous it can be, and what the potential health consequences are.
Could the dramatic weight loss of Hollywood stars really be the effect of Ozempic?
The fact that there is currently a major wave of GLP-1 agonist use is not news. It is not just Ozempic that is being used, but also Mounjaro and other medications in this class. However, I cannot directly claim that these drugs are the reason specific people have lost weight.
Of course, if we look at a dramatic change in appearance, weight loss can generally have several different causes.
Is such weight loss possible without medication?
First, it could be due to eating disorders such as bulimia or anorexia, or excessive exercise. Since I do not follow their lifestyles, I cannot claim that any of these are the case for them, but such causes are possible. The second reason is the use of GLP-1 agonists.
In general, significant weight loss is possible with a normal, balanced diet and even regular physical activity. Over the course of a month, a person who is genuinely overweight can lose weight depending on their starting weight. The higher the starting weight, the more a person can lose.
For example, if someone weighs around 80 kilograms and is 170–160 cm tall or shorter, they can generally lose 7 to 9 kg in a month. That is if we are talking about healthy weight loss. But if someone weighed, for example, 70 kg and dropped to 50 kg, that is already very rapid weight loss. Such a fast result would not be achieved simply through a balanced diet or physical activity.
As far as I have read, Kelly Osbourne apparently had bariatric surgery, which can also lead to significant weight loss. But again, since I do not follow these celebrities, I cannot confirm this.”
If it’s Ozempic or another drug in this class, what could indicate that?
As for these medications: if the question is whether GLP-1 agonists can cause rapid weight loss — yes, they can. This happens because a person generally stops consuming enough adequate food, putting them in a macronutrient deficit, which is eventually followed by micronutrient deficiencies.
As a result, they lose weight not only from fat tissue but also from water retained in the subcutaneous tissue, meaning swelling decreases. Muscle mass also decreases, and sometimes even bone mass. In other words, the volume of virtually all tissues decreases.
There is also a term that everyone is familiar with by now: “Ozempic face,” when a significant amount of subcutaneous fat disappears specifically from the face. This can be considered one possible sign of medication use.
When weight loss occurs without these drugs, the face is usually normal. It does not change as quickly; the volume of subcutaneous fat simply decreases. Overall, the person still looks healthy.
How safe is such sudden weight loss? What health consequences can it have?
Sudden weight loss is not safe, especially when it occurs due to factors such as eating disorders, restrictive eating or excessive physical activity. All of these can have consequences for the hormonal system and lead to nutrient deficiencies and, first and foremost, gastrointestinal disorders.
If the sudden weight loss occurs while taking GLP-1 agonists, but the medication is prescribed for a medical indication and taken under the supervision of a doctor who monitors the person’s condition, addresses deficiencies, and works with them to improve their diet, then overall, it can be safe. There are already guidelines on how to eat properly even while taking these medications.
But, again, we cannot fully assess the long-term risks, as there are already many reports, including scientific ones, about the potential effects of these medications on the pancreas and thyroid gland, including potentially serious complications.
Therefore, for health reasons, if there is a medical indication, these medications can be used, but only under a doctor’s supervision. Without a medical indication, I would not recommend using them at all.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
