By Salma El-Sakka
A 2026 UK study of 684 adults, including 544 current or former users of weight-loss medications, found that 48% relied on social media for information about drugs like Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, while consulting healthcare professionals less frequently.
The findings raise questions about why people trust advice from strangers online over medical experts. Psychology suggests that individuals are more receptive to guidance from those they perceive as part of their own group, a concept known as social identity.
Why Personal Stories Carry Weight
When someone identifies strongly with a community sharing similar weight struggles, advice from fellow members feels more relevant and trustworthy, even without medical expertise. This sense of belonging can be especially valuable for those who have faced judgment about their weight.
How Online Groups Shape Beliefs
Online communities offer encouragement and practical support, but they can also amplify dramatic success stories and create pressure to conform. A 2021 Chinese study of 32 participants in a supervised online weight-management program found peer support boosted motivation but also fostered unhelpful comparisons and expectations.
Repeated exposure to exceptional results may lead individuals to expect similar outcomes from their own treatment, while questioning a medication's effectiveness or sharing negative experiences can feel uncomfortable in such groups.
