“This isn’t about willpower; it is not your fault”: Oprah Winfrey Getting Bullied on the Internet for Her Weight is Heartbreaking for Many Fans
Oprah Winfrey is a well-known television personality and anchor for the popular talk show, The Oprah Winfrey Show. Winfrey has been involved in various philanthropic efforts and is a prime advocate of many social and wellness issues. The actress has been famously struggling with weight loss for years. In a panel discussion, Winfrey expressed her frustration with the bullying she faces on the internet regarding her weight.
Oprah Winfrey opens up about weight struggles and diabetes medication
Initially, Oprah Winfrey was skeptical of losing weight with the aid of medications that were prescribed by a doctor. She mentioned that she has been subjected to many criticisms from tabloids for years due to her weight, which was the prime reason for her being hesitant about the idea of using drugs.
“You all know I’ve been on this journey for most of my life. My highest weight was 237 pounds. I don’t know if there is another public person whose weight struggle has been exploited as much as mine over the years, So I am ready for this conversation.”
Speaking on a panel at Oprah Daily’s The Life You Want Class: The State of Weight, she revealed that she was personally reluctant to take 2 diabetes drugs Ozempic, for weight loss. the TV star expressed her thoughts on such medicines which have been specifically prescribed for weight loss.
“Shouldn’t we all just be more accepting of whatever body you choose to be in? That should be your choice. Even when I first started hearing about the weight loss drugs, at the same time I was going through knee surgery, and I felt, ‘I’ve got to do this on my own.’ Because if I take the drug, that’s the easy way out.'”
She revealed that more than 2 billion adults, which amounts to a quarter of the global population, are dealing with overweight or obesity. She asserted that obesity is causing more fatalities than malnutrition.
Winfrey added that she was shamed for the past 25 years of “not having the willpower” to lose weight. She emphasized that weight is a personal journey and should not be the basis for judgment or criticism. Winfrey believes that society needs to focus on promoting body positivity and acceptance rather than tearing others down.
Fans express concerns over Oprah Winfrey’s ties to weight loss drug
Fans expressed suspicion and skepticism about Oprah Winfrey’s involvement with the weight-loss drug Ozempic. She was criticized for preaching about healthcare while at the same time-consuming drugs like Ozempic. They pointed out her hypocrisy in her lifestyle and questioned her credibility as a spokesperson.
I’ll bet you anything she has money in that drug company and she’s going to make tens of millions and it’s probably kill you and give you Alzheimer’s or something
— David Westwater, (@DavidWe31921734) September 20, 2023
Oprah was mad bc everyone else was on it she had to pay more to get someone to get it for her.
Oprah lies constantly— Becky Glen (@Barbara95874583) September 21, 2023
Oprah Winfrey famously struggled with her weight for years, so she’s tackling a subject that’s fascinating to both her and many other Americans: new weight-loss drugs that are reducing appetite and changing people’s relationship with food.https://t.co/8iGzCgionN
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) September 20, 2023
However, after trying various diets and exercise routines without success, she decided to give medication a chance. Winfrey shared that she wanted to prioritize her health and well-being rather than focusing solely on her appearance.
Responding to Winfrey, Dr. Fatima Cody Sanford, an obesity medicine physician sympathized with Winfrey for the unfair treatment she has received regarding her weight. She said, “It is not about willpower, and it is not your fault”.
“It’s how our bodies regulate weight and each of us is different, each of us is unique, and not one is superior to another. We’re just different and acting on those differences and treating the differences in the heterogeneity of the population is how we’re going to make change in this disease.”
She emphasized the importance of recognizing and respecting the variations in our bodies. She added that everybody is unique, and no one is superior to another in the context of the way we look.
Source: The Life You Want Class: The State of Weight
