BHT Bytes – Beyond the Scale: Unpacking Diet Culture and the GLP-1 Era – Episode 396

Behavioral Health Today

Wellness is more than weight, and health is more than numbers. In this episode of BHT Bytes, host Sharlee Dixon is joined by Peter Fenger to unpack the complex intersections of diet culture, body image, and mental health. From the rise of weight-loss fads in the ’80s and ’90s to the emergence of body positivity and fat visibility movements, we trace how cultural messages about size and health have shaped generations. The conversation dives into the psychological toll of diet culture—covering disordered eating, negative self-image, and the mental health struggles tied to societal ideals. We also explore the new wave of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound—hailed by some as groundbreaking, but raising critical questions about identity, stigma, and long-term impact. Together, Sharlee and Peter break down the science, the stigma, and the shifting narratives of weight and wellness in today’s world.

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