By Jackie Snow

June 12, 2025

When Amy Kane started taking Mounjaro in 2022, she expected to lose weight — which she did, dropping more than 170 pounds.

What Ms. Kane, a 36-year-old content creator in Chicago, didn’t expect was for the effects on her health to be contagious. Soon after she started the medication, her husband and children began eating more healthfully — and then became more physically active, too.

As medications like Ozempic transform the health of millions of Americans, some families are discovering a surprising side effect: family members who are not taking the drugs are changing their relationship with food and in some cases, losing weight as well.

There isn’t data yet to show how frequently this might occur, but medical experts have long observed similar effects with other weight-loss treatments, said Dr. Lydia Alexander, the former president of the Obesity Medicine Association.

One study of bariatric surgery patients found that two-thirds of partners lost weight within a year of their spouse’s operation, with overweight partners showing the most significant changes. Another study of participants with diabetes in a weight loss program found that spouses who weren’t undergoing any treatment lost an average of nearly five pounds and consumed significantly fewer calories from fat. And anecdotally, providers around the country said they are already seeing a similar effect with the families of patients taking drugs like Ozempic.

“These medications don’t just change appetite, they transform family dynamics,” said Dr. Joey Skelton, professor of pediatrics at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. By 2024, about one in eight U.S. adults had taken Ozempic or a similar drug, meaning tens of millions of spouses, children and other family members could also be experiencing some effect from these medications without ever taking them.

Ms. Kane, who dealt with disordered eating for decades, said her previous attempts at weight loss made family outings and meals feel fraught with restrictions. But “this has felt more like it’s part of my lifestyle,” she said. “It doesn’t feel like ‘Oh, I don’t want to eat these things’ or ‘I don’t want to go to this restaurant.’ I just eat less.”

Once she lost weight, family time became more active: Ms. Kane now has enough energy for walks to the park and impromptu dance parties with her three children, who are 10, 7 and 5. And at the suggestion of her doctor, she now eats more lean proteins and fiber-rich foods — changes that have helped her husband eat and feel better, too.

“Obesity is a family affair,” said Yelena Kibasova, a corporate event manager in Minnesota who saw her family’s approach to diet and exercise change after she began taking Wegovy last year. “You either make those changes and your family aligns, or over time, you fall back into old habits,” she added.

For some households, these changes feel overwhelmingly positive. But they can also come with risks, especially for children. Unlike bariatric surgery, which requires a hospital stay and a longer recovery, it’s possible for parents to discreetly take weekly injections of drugs like Ozempic without their children realizing.

“Watching a parent lose weight but not understanding why could send a real negative message to kids,” said Dr. Keeley J. Pratt, professor of human development and family science at the Ohio State University. They may begin eating less or skipping meals themselves, thinking they’re following a healthy example from a parent, she added.

Ms. Kibasova worried about how her use of the medication, which reduces appetite and curbs what many people describe as “food noise,” might affect her 12-year-old son.

The drug had helped her lose 30 pounds in six months, but she was concerned that her son, who has also struggled with his weight, might interpret her dramatic appetite changes and weight loss as validation that restricting food was the right approach.

So she tried explaining that obesity is a disease and that she takes Wegovy to manage its symptoms, just like someone would take medicine for a mental health issue or high cholesterol.

And when Ms. Kibasova invited her son to join her in a new strength training routine — to combat muscle loss, a common side effect of these medications — she framed their goal as building strength rather than losing weight.

Her son soon lost some of his body fat and gained muscle, and his self-esteem improved, Ms. Kibasova said.She found that the shared workouts helped her stick to her own goals, too.

The medications and the diet changes that often accompany them can also have downsides for romantic relationships. “If you and your spouse love to cook together or go to restaurants together, and you suddenly start changing that, it’s interrupting something between you,” Dr. Skelton said.

Studies have found that people undergoing bariatric surgery are more likely than the general population to break up with or divorce their partners. (On the other hand, research has also shown that single patients who underwent the procedure are more than twice as likely to enter into new relationships as people with obesity who didn’t have bariatric surgery.)

Dr. Pratt, who has developed resources to help bariatric surgery patients anticipate and work through these challenges, is now working on similar guides for patients taking drugs like Ozempic and their families.

Ideally, she said, doctors could talk with patients as they start taking these drugs, and ask: “Are you in a romantic relationship right now? Do you have children at home? Here are the types of things that you should be thinking about.”

For Kia Griffin-Thomas, 42, one of the most surprising parts of starting a weight loss drug was having to recalibrate how she planned meals and cooked for her family when she barely felt like eating.

“Just because I’m not eating, it doesn’t mean that they’re not hungry,” she said.

So she decided to try getting her 8-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter more involved in meal preparation several times a week.

“They take a lot of joy in cooking and preparing, because they’ll say, ‘Look daddy, look what we made, look what we cooked,’” she said.

These family activities extend beyond the kitchen. Her husband turned the sunroom in their Northwest Indiana home into a gym so they could exercise together after the children are asleep, reviving a passion they shared before starting a family.

“We’re able to dance, go out, work out together,” Ms. Griffin-Thomas said. “It strengthened our relationship.”

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5737146&forum_id=2#49011228)

Studies have found that people undergoing bariatric surgery are more likely than the general population to break up with or divorce their partners. (On the other hand, research has also shown that single patients who underwent the procedure are more than twice as likely to enter into new relationships as people with obesity who didn’t have bariatric surgery.)

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5737146&forum_id=2#49011231)

“Just because I’m not eating, it doesn’t mean that they’re not hungry,” she said.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5737146&forum_id=2#49011232)

Rita Buch

New York, NY

June 12

Talk about your non-problems! People really want to hate the GLP-1A medications, like, now fat people have it easy. I myself have lost 1/3 of my body weight on tirzepatide (Mounjaro), feel great, hear I look great, and guess what? I still love to cook and eat. My family is not inconvenienced by my medication and reduced appetite. We all enjoy eating together. We all work out, and always did.

Stop it. Obesity is a disease, and even with our new understanding that it is truly biologically and genetically driven, it seems people can't stand it if we can now take a medication to treat it. I get that "gluttony" is a Deadly Sin, but don't resent that the atonement is now relatively easier. Obesity is a dangerous disease, leading to worse health throughout life and often resulting in premature death from those illnesses. Let's rejoice that we have a solution and not imagine and create problems that do not exist. People adapt! We really do!

Save your rage for people who don't want you to vaccinate your children or fluoridate your water. They're the ones you should be mad at.

8 Replies318 RecommendShareFlag

Cynthia commented June 12

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Cynthia

Ohio

June 12

The newfound ability to engage in physical activity resonated with me. I am on a GL-P1 semaglutide, have lost 35 lbs, and have increased my physical activity from fairly sedentary to fairly active. Walking and jogging no longer hurt, I hike with less heavy breathing, and my joints no longer ache all the time. Just losing a few pounds encouraged me to move more.

2 Replies180 RecommendShareFlag

Lizzie commented June 12

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Lizzie

Seattle

June 12

@S.L. You -- and the author of this article -- are assuming that all overweight people eat lousy diets including "chips, candy, and cookies." But that is frequently not the case at all.

I have cooked almost all my own food for 2 decades now. I control my portions and absolutely never eat second helpings. I eat dessert maybe once every 2 months or so, as a treat. I don't eat junk food. I limit refined carbohydrates to around 50 g per meal. I don't eat red meat -- my meals are lean poultry, fish, or vegetarian. I walk at least 4 miles daily.

Nevertheless, until I started Mounjaro, my BMI was 36 and climbing, and my glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were alarming. I was also on the borderline for fatty liver disease. With Mounjaro, of course I've lost weight but more importantly ALL those other metabolic issues have resolved: normal range glucose, cholesterol, liver enzymes, etc.

And I haven't changed my eating habits at all. I don't eat noticeably less than I did before, because I've been limiting my portions for decades. The only difference is I don't feel hungry when I leave the table now, and before Mounjaro, I was hungry all the time.

In Reply Thread164 RecommendShareFlag

RB commented June 12

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RB

MD

June 12

Of course! My kids are too young to buy chips and ice cream, but now that the adults in their house aren't craving (and buying) junk food, we have a lot more fruit and vegetables in the house. Being around healthier, thinner people, makes you thinner and healthier.

12 Replies89 RecommendShareFlag

Cal commented June 12

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Cal

Indiana

June 12

@Rita Buch Congratulations on your weight loss! I agree with your perspective that people using these medications should not be shamed. Some people seem to have the attitude that fat people are inherently "lazy" and therefore should have to "work" to lose the weight and atone for their "laziness". It's a fundamental misunderstanding of the mechanisms behind weight gain, but it's unfortunately quite pervasive in society.

In Reply Thread88 RecommendShareFlag

Brian commented 10 hours ago

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Brian

Marblehead, MA

10h ago

This is such fascinating stuff on so many levels: Behavioral, Medical, Social. I (63 year old male, 75 lbs or more overweight for most of my adult life) asked my Dr about these drugs a year ago at my annual physical. His reply was, "they're not for you and you couldn't get them anyway". I nursed a resentment for a year until this spring's physical and I asked him what he meant.

He said the drugs were no longer in short supply so availability was no longer a problem, but his bigger issue was that all his patients who took them put the weight back on if they stopped. I was surprised to hear that because my assumption had been that given a reprieve from the incessant demands of "food noise" we might be able to reorder our relationship to food; eating when feeling hungry and not when feeling empty.

We agreed that I would work on my diet and exercise for three months to see if those were things i was capable of modifying (much like bariatric surgery requires a pre-operative weight loss) and then revisit the subject.

On my last visit my weight was down 25 pounds and he offered to write the script for a GLP. I'm comforted to know it's available to me if my current investigation into how and why I eat doesn't continue to yield positive results, but I find value in the exploration I'm currently doing around hunger, deprivation, satiety, comfort, etc. Complicated Stuff

All the Best

6 Replies84 RecommendShareFlag

Cal commented June 12

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Cal

Indiana

June 12

It's interesting how we categorize certain body sizes as normal, and how much the definition of "normal" can vary by location. I was always a naturally lanky kid (nicknamed "Pixie Stick"), and while my body size was perfectly healthy from a doctor's perspective, everyone from relatives to strangers would tell me to "eat something" or "you're too skinny"! That's because they were all overweight, so a larger body size looked normal to them. This definitely had an effect on my perception of myself. In college, my roommate and their friends were all overweight as well. With this social priming, I began to view that as normal, and couldn't see my own weight gain until none of my clothes fit anymore.

In contrast, when I left that area and moved to a new location with a lower average BMI, I became more aware of my own body composition. I learned how to eat properly and work out in moderation. It was also crucial that no one was calling me "too skinny" or telling me to eat something despite me being quite healthy and fit.

I guess what I'm trying to say here is that our social circle and family play a huge role in our conscious and unconscious perception of our bodies. I'm happy that these modern weight loss drugs are helping people change their perception of themselves and each other. It should never be about shame, but instead about striving to achieve the fullness of physical ability that our bodies are capable of.

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PDXceptional commented 9 hours ago

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PDXceptional

Portland, OR

9h ago

I've been on a GLP for going on 5 years for Type 1 diabetes. I consider this drug key to my diabetes management.

Here's what GLPs are shown to do:

--Cease food chatter

--Control impulsive behaviors like online shopping and gambling

--Reduce H1c results by a full point

--Protect the heart and kidneys

--Reduce inflammation

And yes, reduce weight. So everyone that's commenting about how you can just eat right and exercise have no idea the full slate of benefits this drug offers people with inflammatory (immune-mediated) and autoimmune conditions. If you think this is only a weight loss drug, you are ill-informed and should probably stop offering your opinion until you know more about the drug.

5 Replies69 RecommendShareFlag

Adkdee commented June 12

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Adkdee

Adirondack, NY

June 12

For my household, the biggest change has been leftovers. Now instead of cooking as often, there are more days of scrounging and heating up what either came home from a restaurant or lasted 2-3 days from a bigger cooking amount for grilled meats for example. We also made a concerted effort to winnow down our packed pantry--habits of overbuying that came from COVID stock-piles, so there are fewer processed foods left and even less coming in to replenish what goes. My teen has lost maybe 10 lbs. thanks to these dietary pattern changes.

5 Replies65 RecommendShareFlag

S.L. commented June 12

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S.L.

Briarcliff Manor, NY

June 12

“Obesity is a family affair,”

A bariatric specialist said when he is confronted by "it's in our genes that we are overweight", he always asks to see photos of their pets. They are overweight too and with different genes. It is logical that if the person on weight loss drugs, frequently the food shopper, losses the appetite for chips, candy, and cookies, it leads to less of those in the household. More activity by one family member leads to more activity by others who start to walk and play outdoors more. Weight loss is a lot of work and seeing results is good incentive for doing the job.

13 Replies65 RecommendShareFlag

Kenneth VanOosten commented June 12

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Kenneth VanOosten

Grand Rapids, MI

June 12

I've been on Semaglutide for 6 months now. Before that I cut out added sugar, especially soda, I practiced portion control, I overcame the mental trauma and anxiety I endured from growing up in a dysfunctional household and I increased my physical activity. I managed to lose almost 50 pounds over two years doing that alone, but eventually the weightloss leveled out and my weight even began to increase again. Since I started using these drugs, I've never felt more in control of myself. I don't constantly crave food anymore, I don't eat because im bored or stressed out anymore, I don't have the urge to scarf down a whole meal in one bite like a starving animal. But even better my weights at an all time low again and its gradually getting lower. Haven't felt this good physically in years and I think I just might avoid dying of cardiovascular disease like my grandfather's did. I think in terms of how this will effect people socially, I think people just need to learn how to adjust and adapt to having these new drugs be part of life, making them easier tp afford would be helpful too. I for one still find ways to go out to eat with friends. Instead of large meals I get appetizers and foods I can share with the table. I also dont drink hard liquor anymore while using it. I was never big on drinking, but now not only do I crave it but i can't stomach it either. I can only have a few glasses of beer, wine or seltzer when I do drink. We'll find ways to adapt, we always do.

1 Reply64 RecommendShareFlag

cheeky commented June 12

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cheeky

San Jose

June 12

Anyone who has had a parent on a diet when they were kids knows this- mom's on a diet, everyone's on a diet.

Reply62 RecommendShareFlag

Cynthia commented June 12

C

Cynthia

Ohio

June 12

@Cynthia

Forgot to add that my spouse and I have started walking and biking on trails—something we have not done in several years! Ozempic, the family binder.

In Reply Thread60 RecommendShareFlag

Rainbirdmuse commented June 12

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Rainbirdmuse

Ketchikan, Alaska

June 12

@S.L.I have two cats. Same bowl. One is a light and lively 8 pounds at age 16 and another is a sturdy 13 pounds at age 10. Completely different. Same with body types. One family eating the same food can have slim and solid humans who take after different ancestors. I favor my Eastern European side of the family while my son favors the Anglo-Saxon side. Lucky him. Dress size does not equal health.

In Reply Thread54 RecommendShareFlag

Donna commented 8 hours ago

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Donna

Boise, ID

8h ago

@Emma

Many people as they age are in fact on pharmaceuticals for the rest of their lives. Statins, blood pressure medications, hormone replacement therapy, levothyroxine, antidepressants, etc.

In Reply Thread54 RecommendShare

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5737146&forum_id=2#49011234)