The term “Ozempic chic” is increasingly being used on social media — it’s how fans and the media are commenting on the wave of rapid weight loss among Hollywood celebrities. Over the past few months, the appearance of Ariana Grande, Kelly Osbourne, Jenna Ortega, Demi Moore, Olivia Wilde, and a number of other actresses and singers has changed noticeably. Part of the audience is worried about how such a swift loss of weight might affect the stars’ health, and the most popular theory online is that the cause is GLP-1 agonist drugs: “Ozempic,” “Mounjaro,” and other similar medications. To figure out how plausible this version is and what really lies behind “Ozempic chic,” the publication Wave RBC.ua turned to dietitian and endocrinologist Ekaterina Tolstikova, asking her to comment on the phenomenon from a medical perspective.
What Is “Ozempic Chic” and Why It Has Drawn Attention
According to the expert, the fact that there is now a very serious wave of GLP-1 agonist use is no news: not only “Ozempic” and “Mounjaro” are being used, but other drugs of this class as well. However, Tolstikova explicitly emphasizes that she cannot state that these drugs are precisely the cause of specific individuals’ weight loss. A sharp change in appearance, she says, can have several different causes, and without monitoring a star’s lifestyle it is impossible to definitively determine which one worked in each individual case.
Possible Causes of Rapid Weight Loss
The endocrinologist identifies several scenarios. The first is eating disorders: bulimia, anorexia, excessive physical exertion. The second is the use of GLP-1 agonists. The third, which the expert mentions as a possibility, is bariatric surgery: according to her information, Kelly Osbourne, as she had read, had such an operation, which can also lead to rapid weight loss, although Tolstikova is not ready to confirm this categorically either. It is important that even with normal, balanced eating and ordinary physical activity, rapid weight loss is possible: a person with excess weight can lose from 7 to 9 kg in a month if the starting weight was around 80 kg at a height of 160–170 cm. But if the weight dropped, say, from 70 to 50 kg, that is already a very sharp weight loss that simply cannot be achieved through diet and exercise alone.
Contradictory Data
Here the versions on both sides diverge noticeably. On the one hand, the dominant opinion online and among fans is that the rapid weight loss of the aforementioned stars is the effect of GLP-1 drugs, and the visual argument in favor of this theory is so-called “Ozempic face,” when subcutaneous fat deposits on the face disappear especially quickly and sharply. On the other hand, the celebrities themselves claim that they feel great, and Ariana Grande, according to reports, decided to temporarily disappear from public view, tired of discussions about her appearance. The expert takes an intermediate position: yes, GLP-1 agonists can produce a sharp reduction in weight, because a person stops consuming food adequately and ends up in a deficit of macronutrients, and then micronutrients as well — not only fat tissue is lost, but also water retained in the subcutaneous fat, muscle tissue shrinks, and sometimes even bone tissue. But the doctor cannot confirm the use of the drugs in a specific star, and she calls “Ozempic face” only one of the possible indicators, not proof.
Health Risks and the Role of a Doctor
Tolstikova warns that sudden weight loss is unsafe, especially if it is caused by eating disorders, restricted eating, or excessive exertion: it hits the hormonal system, causes nutrient deficiencies, and, first and foremost, gastrointestinal disorders. If, however, the weight loss occurs on GLP-1 agonists for medical indications, by prescription and under the supervision of a doctor who accompanies the patient, covers the deficiencies, and adjusts the diet — overall this can be safe, all the more so because dietary protocols for the use of such drugs already exist. At the same time, the expert notes that long-term risks cannot be fully assessed: there are many reports, including scientific ones, about the possible impact of these drugs on the pancreas and thyroid gland and about potential serious complications. The doctor’s conclusion is unequivocal: when there are indications, the drugs are permissible, but strictly under specialist supervision, and without indications Tolstikova does not recommend their use.
