Ozempic and Cultural Wellness: Navigating Health Trends as Women of Colour

Why This Conversation Matters

Ozempic is everywhere—from celebrity Instagram pages to whispered group chats. But as a woman of colour navigating wellness in both cultural and clinical settings, I have to ask: Is Ozempic really for us?

I’m Kaajal, a Gujarati woman living with type 1 diabetes for over 30 years. I’m also a wellness coach and advocate for culturally grounded health. I’ve seen how mainstream trends can sweep us up, leaving behind crucial questions about whothese solutions were designed for. And with Ozempic now being used far beyond its original purpose, we need to pause and ask: Is this safe, tested, and suitable for women like us?

What Is Ozempic - And Why Is Everyone Talking About It?

Originally developed as a Type 2 diabetes medication, Ozempic (semaglutide) mimics a hormone called GLP-1 that helps regulate blood sugar and slow digestion. Sounds promising, right?

But here’s the twist: In 2024 alone, over 9 million prescriptions were written in the U.S., the majority for weight loss, not diabetes. It’s now often dubbed the "Hollywood Slimming Shot"—despite being a medical intervention with real side effects and metabolic consequences.

The Side Effects No One Talks About

While Ozempic might suppress appetite and promote weight loss, it's not a magic bullet. And certainly not without cost.

Common side effects include:

• Nausea

• Constipation

• Hair thinning

• Muscle loss

• Mental health impacts related to food anxiety and disordered eating

Many people regain the weight (as fat, not muscle) once they stop using it. This can lead to a harmful cycle of dependence, especially for women already navigating complex relationships with body image, food, and health.

Who Was Ozempic Tested On?

Here’s where the alarm bells really go off. Only 6% of Ozempic clinical trial participants were Black, and just 43% were female. The majority? White and Asian men.

That means:

• We don’t fully know how this drug affects women of color

• We don’t understand the long-term impacts on bodies with more fat retention, insulin resistance, or hormonal variance

• We’re being sold a wellness product not even tested for our wellness

Why Women of Color Feel the Pressure

We come from cultures where shape is often celebrated—roundness, softness, curves were once signs of health, fertility, and even wealth. But now, the pressure to conform to

Eurocentric beauty standards is stronger than ever.

When celebrities like Busta Rhymes or Christina Aguilera suddenly appear with drastically slimmer frames, it’s easy to wonder: Should I be doing that too?

But we have to ask ourselves:

• Are we shrinking ourselves to be more acceptable?

• Is thinness the same as health for our bodies?

• And are we using tools made for people with completely different genetics?

So… If Not Ozempic, Then What?

Let’s return to basics: nourishing our bodies for blood sugar balance, metabolic health, and long-term vitality—not for Instagram aesthetics.

Food Rules That Actually Work:

• Eat carbs with protein and fat—not alone

• Start meals with fibre (like salad) to reduce blood sugar spikes

• Add fats like olive oil or peanut butter to porridge—it slows digestion

• Pair your cultural staples:

  • Paneer before chapati

  • Goat stew before nshima or rice

  • Dal with salad and avocado

Movement Without the Guilt:

• 10-minute walks after meals lower blood sugar and support digestion

• Stretch, dance, do yoga—your body craves movement, not punishment

• Cultural movement counts too! Think dance, cleaning, walking in markets

You don’t need a gym or fancy leggings to move. You need to come back to your body - and that body will meet you halfway.

Reclaiming Our Cultural Foods

There is nothing wrong with African, South Asian, or Afro-Caribbean food. What’s wrong is the way we’ve colonised our plates—with portion distortion, ultra-processed “shortcuts,” and Western food guilt.

Your ancestral meals hold wisdom. Your body recognizes your cultural spices. You don’t need to erase your culture to be well - you just need to balance it.

Final Thoughts: You Are Not a Before-and-After

Ozempic might seem like a quick fix. But real health is built through consistent, intuitive choices. You are not a transformation photo. You are a living, breathing human being. You deserve health that honours your heritage, not trends that forget it.

If you’re not sure where to begin, I’ve created a free, culturally rooted wellness tracker that gives you small daily prompts for movement, food, and mindset. It’s helped hundreds of women reclaim their wellness—without guilt.

Download the 21-Day Wellness Tracker Here. It's free, easy, and built for women like us.

• Have you or someone you know considered Ozempic?

• What questions do you wish doctors or media would answer?

• What are your favourite cultural foods that make you feel well?

Comment below

Speak soon,

Kaajal x

FAQ

Q1: Is Ozempic safe for weight loss if I’m not diabetic?It’s prescribed off-label for weight loss, but clinical data is limited—especially for women of colour. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Q2: What if I’ve already started Ozempic?There’s no shame in any path you choose. Just make sure you're also nourishing your body through whole foods, movement, and emotional wellness. Don’t rely solely on the injection.

Q3: I’m pre-diabetic. Should I take Ozempic?Ask your doctor about options—but also consider lifestyle shifts that support your blood sugar naturally. Ozempic is not the only tool.

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