Texas doctor argues Ozempic erodes historical art depictions of larger bodies

A Texas pediatric endocrinologist has argued that the subject of the Mona Lisa was overweight and warned that the proliferation of GLP-1 agonists, such as Ozempic, could erode the historical representation of larger bodies in art while intensifying the stigma surrounding obesity. Dr. Michael Yafi of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston presented these views at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul.

Throughout human history, excess weight often signaled wealth and status, Dr. Yafi noted, serving as a theme for numerous masterpieces. "Men with obesity were portrayed as heroes, leaders, royals and nobles and women with excess body fat were symbols of beauty, fertility and prosperity," he stated according to the Independent. He pointed to the Venus of Willendorf, a statue estimated at 30,000 years old, which features a woman with a prominent belly, breasts, and hips. Ancient Greek iconography similarly depicted Pluto, the god of wealth, as obese, while historical records indicate that 29 of the 36 Ottoman emperors reigning between 1258 and 1929 were either depicted as overweight or reported to have obesity.

Dr. Yafi specifically cited the Mona Lisa, identifying Lisa Gherardini as the likely model. He attributed her fuller figure to four pregnancies, asserting that her size was a mark of her noble standing. "The Italian noblewoman thought to have been the model for the Mona Lisa, Lisa Gherardini, was overweight due to her four pregnancies," he explained. He urged physicians to examine these historical depictions to gain perspective on past perceptions of weight, which could foster greater empathy and reduce judgment in modern patient care. "If physicians see that obesity was for centuries viewed as a positive thing, it will help them be non-judgmental and more empathic," he said.

However, Dr. Yafi cautioned that the rapid adoption of weight-loss medications could alter this artistic legacy. He observed that these drugs often result in gaunt facial features, a phenomenon he termed the "GLP-1 face." "I am sure that if Picasso had been alive today, he would have painted it," he remarked, suggesting that future artworks might increasingly exclude overweight figures. Data supports the scale of this shift; a Gallup survey of 15,000 US adults found that 12.4 percent reported using weight-loss drugs in mid-2025, a significant increase from 5.8 percent in February 2024. Pharmaceutical companies continue to research, refine, and market these drugs, which have also shown promise in treating addiction, driving usage upward.

Dr. Yafi highlighted that the stigmatization of obesity in art and media only gained traction in the second half of the 20th century, leading to a glorification of thinness that rendered women who had inspired artists for centuries less attractive. "Suddenly, thin people became beautiful and the women who inspired artists for centuries were no longer considered attractive," he added. He warned that if the uptake of GLP-1 drugs accelerates, causing more Americans to lose weight, the societal stigma against obesity could deepen further.