Future Scenarios Brought by GLP-1: Could Obesity Become a Symbol of Poverty?

Future Scenarios Brought by GLP-1: Could Obesity Become a Symbol of Poverty?

The Impact of "Weight Loss Drugs" Goes Beyond the Scale—The Future Society Shaken by GLP-1

Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound. In recent years, the names of GLP-1 receptor agonists have appeared not only in medical news but also on social media, celebrity reports, investor reports, and food industry conference materials. Originally used for blood sugar management in type 2 diabetes, these drugs have gained attention for their weight loss effects and are now being hailed as "game changers in obesity treatment."

However, the real significant change is not just the numbers on the scale. When GLP-1 drugs become widely used, they have the potential to alter people's appetites, shopping habits, dining out, drinking, relationships, work, beauty standards, class consciousness, and even societal perceptions of who is capable of self-management.

The discussion on Reddit's r/Futurology, highlighted in a BuzzFeed article, captures this sentiment well. The poster shared how a friend quit drinking due to GLP-1 drugs, shifting social activities from drinking parties to saunas, running, and hiking, and another friend significantly reduced consumption and outings due to fatigue. They then posed the question, "What impact will GLP-1 have on society if it becomes widely used?" The response was explosive, with predictions ranging from healthcare, the food industry, beauty standards, inequality, addiction, to long-term side effects.

Reading these discussions reveals that GLP-1 is perceived not merely as a "diet drug" but as a medication that intervenes in the very design of modern society's desires.


The Prediction that "Obesity Will Become a Disease of Poverty"

A particularly strong reaction on social media was the view that "obesity will increasingly become a disease of the poor."

Until now, obesity has often been discussed as a matter of personal will or lifestyle choices. However, in reality, factors like income, living environment, working hours, food prices, education, healthcare access, and walkability of neighborhoods are intricately related. Those surrounded by cheap, high-calorie foods, living in areas not conducive to exercise, and unable to afford medical expenses find it harder to escape the risks of obesity and diabetes.

If GLP-1 drugs remain expensive, the new means of weight management will only be accessible to those covered by insurance or who can afford to pay hundreds of dollars a month out of pocket. This creates a new divide where "those who can lose weight" are those with access to treatment, and "those who cannot" are those without access to the drugs.

Some Reddit users optimistically suggested that the introduction of generic or oral drugs in the future would lower prices, making them as widespread as smartphones. However, there is also concern that inequality may become entrenched over the next decade or so before that happens. In other words, while GLP-1 redefines obesity as a "treatable disease," it also makes visible those who "cannot be treated despite being treatable."

This issue is not merely a matter of healthcare policy. It could ripple through schools, workplaces, dating, social media, insurance premiums, and employment opportunities. If body shape increasingly becomes a class signal, appearance-based discrimination might not weaken but instead become more refined.


Will Beauty Standards Shift from "Thinness" to "Muscles"?

If GLP-1 drugs make "thinness" more attainable, what kind of body will hold value next? On Reddit, there were notable opinions suggesting that the rarity of being "thin" would decrease, and a muscular, toned body would become a stronger status symbol.

This is an interesting perspective. Just as tanned skin once symbolized wealth and leisure, the perception of bodies changes with social conditions. If weight loss becomes commonplace due to medication, "being thin" may no longer be as special as it once was. Instead, muscle mass, posture, skin, hair, stamina, and exercise habits—more comprehensive indicators of "healthiness"—may gain value.

However, there is also a risk here. Weight loss from GLP-1 drugs may lead to a reduction in muscle mass as well as fat. Therefore, the new market will likely focus not just on "losing weight" but on "losing weight without losing muscle." Protein, workout apps, personal gyms, meal delivery services, supplements, and medical nutrition guidance may be reorganized for GLP-1 users.

The beauty culture on social media will also change. Previously, before-and-after photos and weight loss numbers garnered attention, but in the future, discussions will likely focus on how to maintain a "drug-induced slim body" and how to achieve a "natural-looking weight loss." This will create a complex space where prejudice against those who use drugs and those who cannot use them coexist.


The Quiet Pressure on Fast Food and Alcohol Industries

When considering the social impact of GLP-1 drugs, the effect on the food industry cannot be overlooked. Many users describe a feeling of "quieting down" the constant thoughts about food. In English-speaking regions, this is sometimes referred to as "food noise." While appetite doesn't drop to zero, the strong urges and obsession with snacking weaken, making it easier to be satisfied with smaller amounts.

This change could pose a significant threat to industries like ultra-processed foods, snacks, sweets, soft drinks, fast food, and alcohol. These industries do not solely rely on "hunger" but have built sales through mechanisms that finely stimulate human desires, such as mood changes, habits, stress, reward sensations, impulse buys, late-night cravings, social media appeal, and limited-time campaigns.

If GLP-1 drugs weaken these impulses, consumers may shift from "buying because they want to eat" to "choosing because they need it." Food companies may need to shift from a model of selling quantity to focusing on small quantities, high quality, high protein, functionality, and easy digestion.

In fact, consumer behavior analysis indicates that GLP-1 users tend to reduce high-calorie processed snacks and emphasize fruits and proteins. Regarding alcohol, while not everyone stops drinking completely, there are reports of reduced cravings for sweet drinks and binge drinking. On Reddit, there were stories of family members whose long-standing drinking habits weakened and posts about dulled "consumption impulses" not just for food but also for alcohol, gaming, and shopping.

Of course, GLP-1 alone will not cause the alcohol market or fast food to collapse overnight. Dining out has value in terms of socializing, experiences, and convenience. Instead, establishments that offer cheap, large quantities may struggle, while those providing satisfying, high-quality meals or health-conscious menus may thrive. Izakayas and bars may also shift towards non-alcoholic, low-carb, small-quantity, high-price, and dining experience-focused offerings.


The Hope and Caution of Being a "Drug for Addiction"

The most futuristic reaction on social media regarding GLP-1 is the expectation for addiction treatment. There are voices suggesting that it might affect impulses not only related to appetite but also alcohol, drugs, gambling, shopping, and gaming.

 

On Reddit, someone described their experience after starting GLP-1 drugs as "the magnetic-like impulses in my head disappeared." There were also testimonies of weakened urges not just for food but also for alcohol and impulsive consumption. If this effect is scientifically confirmed, GLP-1 drugs may be positioned not only as treatments for obesity and diabetes but also as medications that adjust "cravings" in a broader sense.

However, caution is also necessary here. While weakening desires can be beneficial for health, it may also affect human motivation, socializing, romance, creativity, and joy. On social media, there were concerns that not only the desire to "eat" or "drink" but the overall desire to do anything might diminish.

This issue is still unresolved. How GLP-1 drugs affect the brain's reward system and what changes occur in which people will require future research. However, the fact that people are already starting to talk about it as a "drug for desires" rather than just a "drug for appetite" holds significant social implications.


Medical Hope: Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, Sleep Apnea

The expectations for GLP-1 drugs are not just because more people are losing weight for cosmetic reasons. Medical effects are being confirmed one after another, and the range of applications is expanding.

In the United States, obesity treatment drugs containing semaglutide have been approved for reducing the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, and stroke in adults with obesity or overweight who have cardiovascular disease. Additionally, tirzepatide has been approved as a treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea with obesity.

This signifies a shift in perception from "drugs for weight loss" to "drugs for reducing the risk of diseases associated with obesity." On Reddit, there were many positive testimonials from people working in diabetes clinics and patients themselves, expressing expectations for improved blood sugar levels, reduced insulin amounts, and lowered risk of complications.

The trend of treating obesity as a chronic disease rather than a moral issue may weaken the narrative of personal responsibility for patients. For those who have long been seen as "lacking effort," GLP-1 drugs offer a means to change not only their bodies but also their self-evaluation.

On the other hand, access issues remain. If the drugs are expensive, insurance coverage is limited, and the medical system cannot keep up with prescriptions and ongoing management, the benefits will be skewed towards a select few. In the U.S., there are experimental programs providing some GLP-1 drugs at low cost through public health insurance for seniors, but there is uncertainty about eligibility conditions and continuity. Having the drugs available and ensuring they reach those in need are separate issues.


Concerns About Side Effects and Long-term Use

Social media reactions are not all optimistic. There are many concerns about side effects, long-term use, weight regain after stopping the drugs, muscle mass loss, and gastrointestinal symptoms.

GLP-1 drugs are known to cause nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal discomfort, and fatigue. Some drugs also require caution regarding pancreatitis, gallbladder-related issues, hypoglycemia, kidney impairment, and diabetic retinopathy. On Reddit, alongside voices of dramatic improvement, there were posts about gastrointestinal discomfort and severe side effects.

It's important to note that while social media testimonials are valuable, they do not directly prove medical causality. Since diabetes and obesity themselves increase the risk of complications, careful research is needed to separate the effects of the drugs from those of the underlying conditions. However, large-scale social media analysis can provide clues to early detect lifestyle discomforts and signs of side effects that clinical trials alone might miss.

As GLP-1 drugs are used long-term, the focus will shift from "how much weight can be lost" to "who should use it, in what quantity, for how long, and in combination with what nutrition and exercise support." Using it for cosmetic purposes without medical supervision, obtaining it through personal import or unofficial routes, and using it like a supplement are dangerous.


Potential Changes in Japan

While this discussion seems centered on the U.S., it is not unrelated to Japan.

In Japan, GLP-1 receptor agonists are already known as diabetes treatments, and interest in their use as obesity treatments is growing. Although Japan does not have as high an obesity rate as the U.S., there are many issues related to weight and metabolism, such as pre-diabetes, metabolic syndrome, sleep apnea, fatty liver, and muscle mass decline in the elderly.

If GLP-1 drugs spread in Japan, it might take a slightly different form than in the U.S. In the food service industry, menus that offer "satisfaction with small portions," "high protein," "low sugar," and "gentle on the stomach" will increase further. In convenience stores, competition may intensify for protein, yogurt, salad chicken, nuts, and small-portion prepared foods rather than bento and sweets. In dining establishments, the value of non-alcoholic and food experiences may rise over all-you-can-drink offers.

On the other hand, in Japan, where the desire for slimness is already strong, the boundary between medical and cosmetic purposes can easily become blurred. If GLP-1 becomes widespread in a society with strong conformity pressure regarding body shape, there is a risk of creating pressure that "it's normal to lose weight even if you have to use drugs." While some will use it as necessary treatment, if people who medically do not need it also start using it, it could lead to health damage and drug shortages.


Questions Raised in a Post-GLP-1 Society

A future where GLP-1 drugs are widespread is not a simple utopia. For those suffering from diabetes or obesity, it could be a life-changing treatment. It may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and sleep apnea, restore freedom of movement and exercise, and liberate people from self-denial.

At the same time, disparities between those who can access the drugs and those who cannot, the reinforcement of appearance-based discrimination, changes in the food industry, new social media hierarchies, side effects, and uncertainties of long-term use remain.

Whether GLP-1 truly changes society for the better is not determined by the drug itself alone. How to lower prices, how to design insurance coverage, how to combine medical, nutritional, exercise, and mental health support, and whether we can create a culture that does not blame those who use the drugs or those who do not or cannot use them.

The reactions on social media indicate that people are already beginning to see this drug as a "future social system." An injection that suppresses appetite is changing the food industry, beauty standards, reflecting medical disparities, and even questioning the nature of human desires.

What is needed in the GLP-1 era is not just a perspective focused on "whether to lose weight." Who can become healthy? Who will be left behind? What social pressures will intensify behind the quieting desires brought by the drug? Without looking at these aspects, the true meaning of this revolution will not be visible.

Before being a drug to reduce weight, GLP-1 is becoming a mirror reflecting the desires and disparities of modern society.


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