‘Weight of the World’
Producer/Director Esther Dere and Nicole Rittenmeyer
Co-Producer Leah Varjacques
Producer/Reporter Dani Blum
Producer Rachel Abrams
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The ascent of GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic, has brought about a transformation within the weight-loss industry and beyond, reshaping societal views on health and body image. Originally developed to manage diabetes, these drugs have become associated with rapid weight reduction, capturing public interest thanks to rumored endorsements from high-profile figures like Oprah Winfrey and Elon Musk.
“Weight of the World” dives into this pivotal moment, following the journeys of three individuals as they navigate the complexities of using GLP-1 medications. The film examines their experiences against the backdrop of over 40 years of diet culture in America, prompting an inquiry into whether these medications represent a groundbreaking shift or merely another chapter in the long and complicated narrative of weight loss.
Through expert commentary from medical professionals, dietitians and cultural critics, the film looks at this evolving landscape, and it investigates the societal obsession with thinness and the implications of these new pharmaceutical interventions, raising questions about body image, health and the ongoing struggle against obesity.
Credit...Left Right Productions/The New York Times/Hulu Originals/FX Networks"GLP-1s are a blockbuster because they promise to solve a social problem without changing anything else."
Tressie McMillan Cottom, Times Opinion columnist
Credit...Left Right Productions/The New York Times/Hulu Originals/FX Networks“Thinking about weight is probably the No. 1 item that’s on my mind most of the time. Like, I’m always comparing myself to everyone around me.”
Jeffrey Luxmore, a subject featured in the film
Supervising Producer Liz Hodes
Director Of Photography Victor Tadashi Suarez
Video Editor Geoff O’Brien
“The New York Times Presents” is a series of documentaries representing the unparalleled journalism and insight of The New York Times, bringing viewers close to the essential stories of our time.