*This Morning* has found itself in hot water after airing a segment featuring Olivia Falcon, who used weight loss injections despite not meeting the typical prescription criteria.
The segment, which showcased Olivia’s before-and-after photos and her journey with the medication Ozempic,
led to an outcry from viewers who expressed concerns over the dangerous message the show was sending.
Olivia, a 49-year-old journalist and founder of The Editor’s List,
appeared on the show to discuss her use of Ozempic, a medication originally designed to manage type 2 diabetes but increasingly used for weight loss.
During her conversation with hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard, Olivia shared that she struggled to lose weight because of her love for snacking and drinking wine,
as well as her busy lifestyle. She revealed that her weight had remained the same since pregnancy, despite her efforts to lose a few pounds.
After consulting with a private doctor recommended by a friend, Olivia decided to try microdosing Ozempic. She explained that she started with the lowest dose for three to four months, but it wasn’t until she increased the dose that she began noticing significant weight loss. Olivia’s journey wasn’t only about shedding pounds; she also experienced health benefits, such as a reduction in cholesterol levels and improved prediabetic symptoms.
“I went to the lowest dose for three or four months, and I didn’t initially notice much difference,” Olivia shared. “When I went up a dose, that’s when I noticed the weight come off. My lower back pain, which had been really bothering me, went away, and my cholesterol reduced from 6.6 to 5.6. I’m no longer in the prediabetic zone.”
Despite these improvements, many viewers were not pleased with Olivia’s appearance on the show. They argued that she didn’t meet the prescribed criteria for Ozempic, which typically requires a BMI of 30 or higher, or a diagnosis of poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. Additionally, viewers pointed out that there seemed to be minimal difference between her before-and-after photos, leading some to believe that she didn’t actually need the medication in the first place.
One viewer tweeted, “So she didn’t meet the prescribing rules for jabs (wasn’t obese), but the doctor still prescribed? And she’s administering it on her own schedule. Surely this is promoting medical misinformation.” Others echoed similar sentiments, criticizing the segment for promoting vanity-driven weight loss instead of addressing genuine health concerns.
The controversy also centered around the fact that Ozempic, a medication that has skyrocketed in popularity as a weight loss tool, is meant to be prescribed to individuals who meet specific medical guidelines. These guidelines include having a BMI of 30 or higher or living with type 2 diabetes that is not well controlled. Specialists, not general practitioners, are typically responsible for evaluating whether a patient qualifies for this medication.
The use of Ozempic has been a hot topic in recent months, particularly as celebrities have flaunted dramatic weight loss after using the drug. However, experts warn that Ozempic is not a one-size-fits-all solution and should only be prescribed when medically necessary. Clinical trials have shown that around 15% of patients are “non-responders,” meaning they lose less than 5% of their body weight over the course of treatment. Factors like genetics, pre-existing health conditions, and emotional eating can all impact how effective the drug is for an individual.
Furthermore, doctors caution that the growing trend of using Ozempic for weight loss raises concerns about potential misuse, particularly when it is prescribed to individuals who do not meet the medical criteria. In addition, there have been reports of side effects and health complications resulting from the use of the drug, especially when it is taken incorrectly or without proper medical supervision.
Some viewers also questioned the ethics of prescribing Ozempic to someone who was not obese, suggesting that it might be contributing to unhealthy body image perceptions. “She wasn’t even fat beforehand,” one viewer remarked. “This is sending a terrible message to people who look the same and are now going to think they need jabs.”
While Olivia’s results were clearly positive, the segment raised important questions about the growing popularity of weight loss medications like Ozempic, and whether the drug should be used outside of the prescribed medical guidelines. As the conversation around Ozempic continues to evolve, it is crucial that viewers understand the potential risks and limitations of using the medication for weight loss, particularly when it is not medically necessary.
As the debate over the use of Ozempic for weight loss continues, *This Morning* may need to carefully consider the messages it is sending to its audience. With the growing popularity of weight loss injections, it is essential to promote responsible, medically supervised use of these medications and avoid promoting unrealistic expectations or potentially harmful trends.
Follow us to see more useful information, as well as to give us more motivation to update more useful information for you.