Should Wellness Influencers Tell You if They are Taking a GLP-1?

The ethics of transparency when personal health choices become public influence 

By Katherine Markello

Graphic by Zoe Lyko

Imagine you see someone post a beautiful cake they made online, and you want to bake it yourself. You follow their recipe to a T – every last measurement, meticulous step, minute in the oven, and second spent cooling. 

But your cake comes out looking nothing like theirs.

Where did you go wrong? You did everything they showed you.

This disconnect mirrors what many people feel watching wellness influencers share workouts and meals for weight loss, without disclosing that they are taking a glucagon-like peptide-1, or more commonly, a GLP-1. 

GLP-1 agonists, used to treat Type 2 diabetes and obesity, help regulate blood sugar levels and metabolism, often leading to weight loss. Drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound have quickly become household names, appearing not only in ads but across social media as well.

As influencer content continues to shape how audiences think about health and body image, the social implications are significant. 

Creator Janelle Rohner faced major backlash after building her social media following around her weight-loss journey, only to later reveal that she had been using a GLP-1 all along. Rohner was also marketing fat-loss courses, leaving followers feeling misled. 

For influencers whose online communities are built on relatability and authenticity, instances like these can be damaging on both sides. 

“I totally think transparency is the most important thing,” said Victoria Garrick Browne, mental health advocate and founder of The Hidden Opponent, on her podcast, Real Pod. She noted the harm in young audiences believing results come from products or routines alone.

Real Pod guest and NFL veteran Isaac Rochell agreed with that sentiment, arguing that influencers have a responsibility to protect their audiences. Part of that, he said, is disclosing information such as taking a GLP-1. 

“We have to remember how powerful society is and how powerful the influence of social media can be,” Olympic medalist and rugby star Ilona Maher weighed in on her Instagram. She added that the conversations around weight-loss drugs even impact her, an athlete known for her body positivity.  

The bottom line: What you see online is a highlight reel—one that may leave out secret ingredients.

Your cake may never look exactly like someone else’s. But it helps to know whether you were ever working from the same recipe to begin with.