In a recent ABC special titled “An Oprah Special: Shame, Blame, and the Weight Loss Revolution,” Oprah Winfrey courageously addressed the decades-long battle she’s faced with weight and fat shaming.
Reflecting on her experience of enduring ridicule for her weight for over 25 years, Winfrey revealed, “For 25 years, making fun of my weight was a national sport.” She vividly recalled being labeled “bumpy, lumpy, and downright dumpy” on the cover of TV Guide back in 1990.
Throughout the segment, Winfrey aimed to dismantle the stigma surrounding weight loss and medication, urging for an end to shaming individuals for their weight or their choices in managing it. She expressed, “I come to this conversation with the hope that we can start releasing the stigma, the shame, and the judgment, to stop shaming other people for being overweight or how they choose to lose—or not lose—weight, and, most importantly, to stop shaming ourselves.”
Having previously disclosed her use of weight loss medication, Winfrey empathized with guests who shared similar journeys and reasons for turning to prescription medications like Ozempic, Mysimba, Victoza, and Wegovy. She acknowledged the diversity in approaches to weight management, extending her support to those who opt for medication while also respecting those who prefer alternative methods like diet and exercise.
Speaking from her own experience, Winfrey highlighted how weight loss medication provided her with relief, helping her overcome food obsession and achieve a sense of fullness. She emphasized that individuals who don’t require such medication should be respected, just as those who choose diet and exercise as their primary means of weight management.
In her hour-long discourse, Winfrey reiterated that obesity is a disease, not a reflection of one’s character. She also called out celebrities for their lack of transparency regarding their own weight struggles, emphasizing the importance of honesty and ethical behavior, especially in the public eye.