Should you tell people you’re taking a weight loss medication?

Holidays, birthday parties, or other big social gathering events—especially when food is involved—can already be a high-pressure environment for people trying to lose weight. Having our eating habits and choices put on display for other people can be the worst. 

“Why aren’t you eating more food?” 
“Aren’t you going to have a bigger slice of cake?”
“You look like you’ve lost weight! What’s your secret?”

But how much does this change when you start a prescription weight loss medication? Are you obligated to tell people?

What’s the party line on weight loss medication?
Whether or not to share information about your medical weight loss plan is a complex question with no easy answer. Ultimately it’s your business, and the decision to disclose is a personal one. However, there are valid arguments to be made on both sides.

The Case for Boundaries

• Privacy: We’re all entitled to personal privacy, especially with decisions about our health. Sharing your medication use might feel intrusive or uncomfortable, especially if you are not close to the person asking the question or unsure of their intentions.
• Stigma: Unfortunately, there is still some stigma associated with prescription weight loss medications. Telling someone about your medication use opens up the floor for potential judgment or criticism.
• Unwanted advice: Disclosing your prescription medication use might open the door to unsolicited advice or comments about your weight loss journey. This can be at best unhelpful and at worst downright discouraging, especially if you already feel self-conscious.

The Case for Being Open

• Transparency: Sharing your use of medication with other people can encourage open and honest communication. If you’re embarrassed or ashamed about your medication use, consider why you feel that way—and if it’s valuable to feel that way at all.
• Support: Telling others can help them understand your efforts to lose weight and appreciate the challenges you may be facing. Kind people will offer invaluable support and encouragement. You may even learn that someone else is also losing weight with the help of medication—an instant connection.
• Safety: Prescription medications can have side effects, and letting another person whom you trust know helps them to be in a position to understand and support if needed. Of course, no one is saying you need to make your mother-in-law your emergency medical contact.
• Family history: Sharing your medication use may also be beneficial if weight seems to be a family issue. It can help your family understand their health better or perhaps even encourage them to talk to a healthcare provider.

The Compromise: Less is More
The real answer is probably somewhere in the middle. Oversharing with the wrong person has serious drawbacks, but sharing with the right person could change their lives. Using one of the following strategies can flip things around and help you control the situation:

Be vague
When asked about weight loss, avoid directly answering by saying something like, "I'm making some lifestyle changes,” “I’ve been working with a healthcare professional,” or “I’ve been focusing on my health." This allows you to acknowledge their observation without going into detail.

Redirect the conversation
You can deflect the question by focusing on other aspects of your life or by bringing up a non-scale victory, such as a new exercise class you’ve been enjoying. This can help shift the focus away from your weight loss and create a more comfortable conversation.

Offer to talk later
If someone asks you a weight-loss-related question in a group setting and you’re not comfortable with answering, suggest having a private conversation at another time. This can give you more time to process your thoughts and decide how much information you want to share.

At the end of the day, the decision of whether or not to disclose health information, such as taking a prescription weight loss medication, is a personal one. It is important to make the choice that feels most comfortable and safe. But remember, there is never any shame in prioritizing your health. 

CON-1887-001 1/24