Yahoo Lifestyle Al Roker Shares His Honest Thoughts on People Who Use Weight Loss Drugs
Al Roker opened up about his thoughts on people who use medication to help reach their weight loss goals during a recent interview.
The Today show co-host spoke about health and food while discussing his new cookbook with The Daily Mail. Al Roker’s Recipes to Live By: Easy, Memory-Making Family Dishes for Every Occasion, which Roker co-wrote with his daughter, Courtney Roker Laga, was published in mid-October.
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Roker, 70, said he is “not gonna judge anybody” when the British tabloid asked about his take on celebrities and others who use drugs like Ozempic for weight loss. He then delved into a discussion about food being an “addiction or dependence” for some people, noting that while it’s possible to go through life without the use of other addictive substances, such as alcohol, cigarettes or drugs, food is necessary for survival.
“If this is what works for them, I mean, who are we to say, 'Oh, don't do that,’” Roker said of using weight loss drugs. “As long as it's safe and effective, good for you. I think everybody's journey is their journey.”
Related: Every Star Who's Admitted To Using Ozempic, WeGovy and Other Weight Loss Drugs (So Far)
Roker, who has been open about his own weight loss journey over the years, added that he doesn’t like to give advice to others when it comes to food or losing weight “because it's tough and everybody's got to face that and they've got to figure out their path.” For those who choose to use weight loss drugs and find success with that method, “great,” Roker added.
“And if it helps you, if that's the thing that gets you over that point where you're able to be healthier and lead a more active lifestyle, that's great,” he reiterated.
The weather presenter’s comments echoed the position he took on the debate over the use of medication for weight loss back in March, when he encouraged people to “stay within your lane and don’t give anybody a hard time.” A couple of months later, Roker also defended American Idol alum Kelly Clarkson after she revealed during an episode of her daytime talk show that she had used medication as part of her own weight loss journey.
“There’s too much judgment going on,” Roker said while he and his Today co-hosts discussed Clarkson’s revelation in mid-May. He added, “You know, people—as long as they’re working with their doctors and being healthy about it, people ought to just back off and let them live their lives.”
