Two in three patients (66%) hide their GLP-1 treatment from some or all friends and family
Nearly 80% have been accused of taking the “easy way out”, and 68% were told to eat less and move more
1 in 5 patients (21%) say GLP-1 stigma directly influenced their decision to pursue treatment
Younger adults face the highest stigma yet are the most open to treatment
Two in three people using GLP-1 weight loss treatments are hiding their treatment from friends or family, according to new research from Simple Online Pharmacy, released on World Obesity Day.
These findings demonstrate social judgement and stigma continue to shape how treatment is perceived, highlighting risks that threaten adoption, adherence and, therefore eficacy.
The study, based on over 3,000 GLP-1 patients alongside a nationally representative survey of 2,000 UK adults, reveals secrecy is a defining feature of the treatment experience.
While these medications are increasingly visible in headlines and on social media, many patients are choosing to stay quiet in real life.
Chief Clinical Officer, Abdal Alvi told That's Health: “People living with obesity are often told their weight is simply about willpower, yet when they seek medical support, they’re criticised for ‘cheating’ or taking the ‘easy way out’.
"This leaves people judged both for having a chronic disease and for treating it. If we want to help people live healthier lives, we need to recognise obesity as a chronic medical condition and reduce the stigma that still surrounds treatment.”
Obesity remains one of the UKs most pressing public health challenges, with rising prevalence linked to increased rates of chronic disease, reduced quality of life and growing pressure on healthcare systems.
At the same time, the emergence of GLP-1 treatments has marked a significant clinical shift, with patient data showing substantial improvements in overall health, mobility, confidence and the ability to sustain healthier lifestyle habits.
This research found a greater barrier to achieving the national benefits of obesity treatment is perception rather than clinical efficacy.
Public understanding and attitudes towards GLP-1 treatment have not kept up with the pace of clinical progress.
Social stigma fuels secrecy, shaping behaviour as patients who feel judged report delaying care, conceal treatment or manage it in isolation, affecting adherence and outcomes.
Without evidence-led public narratives and consistent regulatory messaging, the UK risks limiting the benefits of treatment, reinforcing health inequalities and sustaining long-term pressure on the health system.
Stigma drives secrecy
66% of patients have hidden their treatment from some or all friends and family, and over a third (38%) say they experienced judgement for using GLP-1 treatments.
Among those who faced criticism, nearly eight in ten (79%) report being accused of taking the “easy way out”, 68% were told to “just eat less and move more” and over quarters (79%) were told at least once that they’d “just put the weight back on”.
“I just haven't told anyone, not because of how I feel but the sentiments other people seem to have and share, I’ve had conversations with people at work, they say it’s the easy way out or cheating” Existing GLP-1 patient (female, age 37)
For many, stigma is a real barrier to care. One in five patients (21%) say social stigma was one of their top concerns when considering whether to pursue treatment at all, highlighting how social attitudes can shape healthcare choices.
The data also shows stigma is highly social and uneven. Younger adults are the most likely to hide treatment, with concealment peaking at 74% for Gen Z, compared with 60% among Boomers and 43% among Silent Generation patients.
Women are also significantly more likely to conceal treatment than men (69% vs 53%), reinforcing the gendered nature of weight-related judgement. Whilst exposure to stigma or judgement via social media is even across age groups, women are around 20% more likely to face it via social platforms than men.
A generational shift in attitudes
The research points to a clear generational divide. Half of Gen Z respondents say they would consider or are already using GLP-1 treatments, compared with 20% of Boomers and 10% of Silent Generation respondents. Younger adults are also more likely to recognise that obesity is a chronic medical condition, rather than simply a lifestyle choice, while older groups believe more strongly that managing weight is just simply about lifestyle.
This creates a contradiction: the groups most open to treatment, and most understanding of obesity as a chronic disease, not just a lifestyle choice, are also the most likely to hide their treatment journey from friends and family.
“Framing obesity purely as a lifestyle issue often fuels the perception that treatment is the ‘easy way out’, which can discourage people from seeking support. The language used in media, healthcare and everyday conversations matters – judgemental or triggering messaging can reinforce stigma, while supportive, respectful communication helps patients feel safe, understood and more able to engage with treatment,” said Laura Perez, Clinical Nutrition Lead at Simple Online Pharmacy.
Real lives vs public narratives
Despite public perception of GLP-1 treatment as a short-term fix, a shortcut and an “easy way out”, an overwhelming 92% of patients report improvements in their overall health, alongside gains in energy, mobility and confidence. Many also describe long-term lifestyle changes, with 88% saying treatment has helped them sustain healthier eating and activity habits rather than replace them.
This research also shows patients try an average of four different weight loss methods before starting GLP-1 medication, suggesting medical support often follows years of effort, rather than replacing it.
With 62% of consumers still saying they would never consider GLP-1 treatment, the research highlights a growing gap between perception and lived experience. While outcomes are improving, public discourse remains heavily shaped by stigma, outdated narratives about willpower, and the idea that medical weight management is “too easy.”
Effective pharmacological interventions are now well established, yet the challenge that remains is one of alignment. Bridging the gap between public perception and clinical reality will be critical to supporting appropriate uptake, sustained adherence and the more effective use of health system resources.
The full report can be found at www.simpleonlinepharmacy.co.uk/research/stigma-survey.
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