Semaglutide, marketed under the name Ozempic, is helping several top women in the dancehall to lose weight according to several sources. The new drug manufactured by Novo Nordisk is being used by entertainers in the U.S. to lose weight for aesthetic purposes, and the phenomenon has made its way to Jamaica and into the dancehall and reggae scene.
Data shows that Ozempic®, which gained traction as a trend after Dr. Oz showcased the drug in a segment titled “Could a Diabetes Drug Cure Obesity?” on his show in 2021, may be on track to become one of the most prescribed medications in medical history. This is particularly true in regions with high rates of obesity like the US and Jamaica, as Ozempic® has demonstrated efficacy in managing hypertension.
54% of Jamaicans are overweight or obese while 1 in 3 live with hypertension according to the Pan American Health Organization.
Last July, dancehall star Tifa, shared with the Jamaica Gleaner, that she had embarked on a transparent weight-loss journey, aiming to shed 30 pounds in three months. She credited her success to the “power pack weight-loss solution,” a combination program involving semaglutide and skinny shots.
Restauranteur, TV Host and dancehall artist Yanique Curvy Diva Barrett also shared her experience taking the drug after persons falsely claimed that she had diabetes last October.
The “Lifestyle” artist admitted, “Yes, I’m doing the Ozempic. Yes, I’m exercising, dieting, all of that, so, let’s take on the journey, see what happens, the whole process, but I’m good.”
She went on to explain,“Ozempic is a diabetic drug, all of that, so, you guys just have to read up on it. It’s good for weight loss. You can lose up to 15 pounds or more within, umm, probably all 30 pounds in a month. It suppress your appetite, it don’t mek you hungry.”
Dr. Renee Clarke, owner of Dykal Health and Wellness Centre, explained that semaglutide, traditionally used for diabetes treatment, is now utilized for obesity management.“The fact that diabetes is a chronic disease, we want to treat obesity as a chronic disease as well,” she added.
The drug which cost approximately US$1000 per month has received a lot of media attention in the past six months after 70 year old Tv Mogul Oprah Winfrey shared with People Magazine, her journey with weight management and body image scrutiny throughout her life. “I have been blamed and shamed, and I blamed and shamed myself,” Oprah said.
Winfrey revealed that she is embracing a new approach to maintaining a healthy weight by incorporating exercise, lifestyle changes, and now, a weight-loss medication into her routine. The head of OWN Network said her shift in mindset occurred after recognizing obesity as a disease rather than a lack of willpower during a panel discussion. “I was actually recommending it to people long before I was on it myself,” Oprah shared.
She explained that the medication is just one part of her holistic health regimen as she reclaims control of her health and body image, rejecting societal shaming and focusing on her overall well-being and vitality.
However, among the undesirable consequences of Ozempic is premature aging of facial features.
Doctors are also warning of “Ozempic face” as a facial side effect of semaglutide, causing sagging and aging of facial skin due to rapid weight loss.
Physician Dr. Celia Gonzalo, who specializes in endocrinology and nutrition at Neolife Medical Group, told El Pais, that “sudden and significant decrease in facial fat can accentuate expression lines, cheekbones and also cause sagging in the cheek area. In short, for some people, it can result in an older-looking appearance.”
Semaglutide is a medication primarily intended for type 2 diabetes and obesity treatment. Its noted side effect, appetite suppression leading to rapid weight loss, and while Ozempic is generally safe, side effects can vary from mild to severe, prompting lifestyle modifications or medical interventions. Stopping Ozempic may lead to weight regain and other symptoms, requiring consultation with a healthcare professional according to Medical News Today.
The conversation around Ozempic reaching Jamaica extended to social media, with many sharing shock at the drug being used in the island. One person tweeting, “Mi never know Ozempic deh a Jamaica,” another adding “??? Not the Ozempic foolishness reach Jamaica now kmt.”
Ozempic trend reached Jamaica… giving it a few to reach Trinidad !!
— CUNTE$$A (@shauniieluv) December 5, 2023
Eli Lilly, manufacturer of competing medications Zepbound and Mounjaro, aired a commercial ahead of the Oscars cautioning against misusing drugs for vanity purposes.
Eli Lilly said the drug it not to be used by people who are not diabetic and in need.
Despite this, the entertainment industry’s embrace of swift weight loss has resulted in high sales big profits for Novo Nordisk since Ozempic’s introduction in 2017, with a significant portion of users falling outside the diabetic demographic.
Young adults, in particular, constitute a sizable portion of Ozempic consumers, according to data from Komodo Health. As of April 22, the hashtag #Ozempic had been viewed almost 1 billion times on TikTok. Ozempic® and Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro® are now in short supply all over the world due to the companies reducing access to the drugs.
