@article{ART003331922},
author={Park Woo-Seung and Jaehee Cho},
title={Why Do Normal-Weight Individuals Seek GLP-1 Weight-Loss Injections (Wegovy and Mounjaro)?: Focusing on the Psychological Drivers of Weight Bias Internalization},
journal={Health Communication Research},
issn={2093-2707},
year={2026},
volume={25},
number={1},
pages={1-46},
doi={10.24172/hcr.2026.25.1.1}
TY - JOUR
AU - Park Woo-Seung
AU - Jaehee Cho
TI - Why Do Normal-Weight Individuals Seek GLP-1 Weight-Loss Injections (Wegovy and Mounjaro)?: Focusing on the Psychological Drivers of Weight Bias Internalization
JO - Health Communication Research
PY - 2026
VL - 25
IS - 1
PB - Korea Health Communication Association
SP - 1
EP - 46
SN - 2093-2707
AB - The off-label use of GLP-1 weight-loss medications (e.g., Wegovy, Mounjaro) among normal-weight adults for aesthetic purposes is a growing public health concern. This study investigates the psychological mechanisms linking Weight Bias Internalization (WBI) to the intention to use these injections. Integrating the Situational Theory of Problem Solving (STOPS) and Protection Motivation Theory (PMT), structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to a sample of normal-weight adults. Results revealed that WBI sequentially influences medication intention through situational recognition and coping appraisal. Problem recognition created an ambivalent path, simultaneously increasing perceived response efficacy and response costs. Conversely, involvement recognition strengthened medication intention by significantly lowering perceived response costs. Furthermore, appearance orientation moderated the WBI-response cost relationship; higher appearance orientation heightened perceived costs, acting as a protective mechanism against misuse. These findings elucidate how internalized weight bias translates into specific drug adoption, offering crucial insights for mitigating medication misuse.
KW - Weight Bias Internalization;STOPS;Protection Motivation Theory;Weight-loss Medication;Intention to Medicate
DO - 10.24172/hcr.2026.25.1.1
ER -
Park Woo-Seung and Jaehee Cho. (2026). Why Do Normal-Weight Individuals Seek GLP-1 Weight-Loss Injections (Wegovy and Mounjaro)?: Focusing on the Psychological Drivers of Weight Bias Internalization. Health Communication Research, 25(1), 1-46.
Park Woo-Seung and Jaehee Cho. 2026, "Why Do Normal-Weight Individuals Seek GLP-1 Weight-Loss Injections (Wegovy and Mounjaro)?: Focusing on the Psychological Drivers of Weight Bias Internalization", Health Communication Research, vol.25, no.1 pp.1-46. Available from: doi:10.24172/hcr.2026.25.1.1
Park Woo-Seung, Jaehee Cho "Why Do Normal-Weight Individuals Seek GLP-1 Weight-Loss Injections (Wegovy and Mounjaro)?: Focusing on the Psychological Drivers of Weight Bias Internalization" Health Communication Research 25.1 pp.1-46 (2026) : 1.
Park Woo-Seung, Jaehee Cho. Why Do Normal-Weight Individuals Seek GLP-1 Weight-Loss Injections (Wegovy and Mounjaro)?: Focusing on the Psychological Drivers of Weight Bias Internalization. 2026; 25(1), 1-46. Available from: doi:10.24172/hcr.2026.25.1.1
Park Woo-Seung and Jaehee Cho. "Why Do Normal-Weight Individuals Seek GLP-1 Weight-Loss Injections (Wegovy and Mounjaro)?: Focusing on the Psychological Drivers of Weight Bias Internalization" Health Communication Research 25, no.1 (2026) : 1-46.doi: 10.24172/hcr.2026.25.1.1
Park Woo-Seung; Jaehee Cho. Why Do Normal-Weight Individuals Seek GLP-1 Weight-Loss Injections (Wegovy and Mounjaro)?: Focusing on the Psychological Drivers of Weight Bias Internalization. Health Communication Research, 25(1), 1-46. doi: 10.24172/hcr.2026.25.1.1
Park Woo-Seung; Jaehee Cho. Why Do Normal-Weight Individuals Seek GLP-1 Weight-Loss Injections (Wegovy and Mounjaro)?: Focusing on the Psychological Drivers of Weight Bias Internalization. Health Communication Research. 2026; 25(1) 1-46. doi: 10.24172/hcr.2026.25.1.1
Park Woo-Seung, Jaehee Cho. Why Do Normal-Weight Individuals Seek GLP-1 Weight-Loss Injections (Wegovy and Mounjaro)?: Focusing on the Psychological Drivers of Weight Bias Internalization. 2026; 25(1), 1-46. Available from: doi:10.24172/hcr.2026.25.1.1
Park Woo-Seung and Jaehee Cho. "Why Do Normal-Weight Individuals Seek GLP-1 Weight-Loss Injections (Wegovy and Mounjaro)?: Focusing on the Psychological Drivers of Weight Bias Internalization" Health Communication Research 25, no.1 (2026) : 1-46.doi: 10.24172/hcr.2026.25.1.1
