What Every Black Woman Should Know About GLP-1s, Stress & Long-Term Health – BlackDoctor

Thousands of people came together for the first Black Girl Wellness Fest, and it was obvious this was more than just another conference. Powered by Black Girl Vitamins (BGV), the festival was created to address the long-standing health equity gap, bringing together medical knowledge, cultural experience, and community celebration.

The event was designed to focus on the unique health needs of Black women, from the lively “Move Stage” led by Chicago fitness leaders to the calm atmosphere of the breakout sessions.

Actress Meagan Good shared an important lesson on self-worth during her “Permission to Evolve” talk. Ta’Rhonda Jones also spoke openly and honestly about mental health and community healing in her session, “Healing Daily.”

Outside of the main stages, the festival became a marketplace for empowerment, with more than 50 Black-owned brands and a fun, uplifting event by Chicago’s 40+ Double Dutch Club. The impact of the weekend goes well beyond the final keynote.

The Black Girl Wellness Fest also launched a $100,000 scholarship fund to support future healthcare professionals, showing that its goal is to make a lasting difference in Black women’s health for generations.

Too often, Black women have been overlooked in the wellness industry. This festival made it clear that they are not just participants—they are the creators of their own well-being.

A highlight of the festival was a panel featuring Dr. Bryanne Standifer-Barrett, Dr. Contessa Metcalf, and Dr. Marlyn Hirsch, with Anna Palomino, BGV’s head of product development. They discussed important topics such as metabolic health and GLP-1 medications, helping make clinical information more accessible.

Becoming the CEO of Your Body

After the event, BlackDoctor spoke with Dr. Standifer-Barrett, who emphasized that women should see themselves as CEOs of their own bodies.

“I think that’s the start. And I say this—and this is kind of what I do as a physician—we tell you to advocate for yourself. But how do you know what to advocate for? So, I think these symposiums that we do are where you get the information; you make sure you get it from a reputable source. We say things like, ‘Find a doctor who listens to you,’ but I’m an insurance-based primary care doctor right now, and it’s hard for people to navigate if they don’t feel heard,” Dr. Standifer-Barrett shares. “It’s hard to just say, ‘I want to get a new doctor.’ It’s not that easy; there’s a primary care shortage right now. It’s hard to get in; it’s hard to get a follow-up. It’s difficult. So, one of the things that I try to tell people in this constrained situation we’re in is to prep.”

She encourages women to research health information themselves and keep notes, so they can show their doctors that they are in charge of their own health.

“Say, ‘Hey, I’m the captain of my body, here is what I’m looking for, and here is the research that I found. What’s your opinion on this, based on what you know about me already?’ So, come in to drive the conversation versus waiting for the doctor to tell you what they think,” Dr. Standifer-Barrett adds.

As a Black woman, she understands the challenges that many Black women face in their busy and demanding lives.

“I’m a busy Black woman; I’m a physician; I do all these things. So, my lens is a little bit different, and if I’m being transparent, it can often be biased in a good way—in support of Black people—because I understand the lived experience of what we’re going through. I think if you don’t have that, the effort to advocate for yourself has to increase tremendously. Like I was saying, write down your questions, then take it a step further and call your insurance to see what’s available, because that’s also a huge barrier to care. People sometimes don’t have access to these meds, whether it’s because of insurance or cost. So, at least start the process by calling your insurance and saying, ‘I’m interested in the GLP-1.’ Then, when you go to your doctor and they say, ‘Nobody covers it,’ you can say, ‘No, I called my plan, and they do—here is what’s needed.’ So, you take this further into your own hands, and it makes the conversation go more in your favor with that doctor,” she advises.

GLP-1s: A Preventive Strategy

The panel also discussed who might benefit from GLP-1 treatment. She pointed out that people with pre-diabetes, high liver enzymes, sleep apnea, a history of heart attack, kidney disease, or obesity could be good candidates for this medication.

“Look at your medical history and your labs, because sometimes you have those in-between labs where you’re not quite diabetic, but your A1C is in the pre-diabetic range, and your insurance won’t cover it for pre-diabetes. Some people feel, ‘Okay, I don’t have a diagnosis,’ or ‘I’m in the middle.’ Sometimes those patients would benefit the most from the medication, so they don’t progress into the next phase,” Dr. Standifer-Barrett notes.

She also noted the controversy surrounding BMI in the Black community, suggesting that abdominal circumference is often a more accurate indicator of health risks.

RELATED: Body Mass Index (BMI): What It Tells You — And What It Doesn’t

“When it comes to Black people…our bone density and muscle mass are a little bit different. But I always tell people to look at your abdominal circumference. Get a tape measure and measure your belly; if the circumference is greater than 35 inches, that is an indicator for someone to go on a GLP-1,” she adds.

Having more fat around the abdomen can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health problems later on. This is why using these medications as a preventive measure is important.

“A lot of times in medicine, unfortunately, we wait until there’s a problem to think about a GLP-1, versus, ‘Hey, I’ve been dealing with obesity my whole life,’ or ‘Hey, once I hit 40, my obesity has started acting up.,’” Dr. Standifer-Barrett explains.

As a menopause specialist, she talks about this with her patients who are in perimenopause or menopause and may be experiencing weight changes.

“I do use GLP-1s in that population. Similarly, for PCOS [PMOS], GLP-1s, in my opinion, are also of great benefit. So again, use it as a preventative strategy versus waiting for something to go wrong,” she adds.

GLP-1s can be helpful, but they are not effective without a healthy diet and regular exercise.

“At minimum, I suggest strength training four times a week, 30 minutes, and tracking your weights. Also, 100 grams of protein—of course, if your body can tolerate it—and water,” Dr. Standifer-Barrett notes. “The primary mechanism of a GLP-1 is that it mimics what your body already makes. It’s released from your small intestine after you eat; it goes to your brain and tells your brain you’re not hungry, and it slows down digestion.”

Dr. Standifer-Barrett says that medication is just one part of the solution. For real results, she recommends a holistic approach:

• Strength Training: Aim for at least 30 minutes of strength training four times a week to build metabolically active muscle tissue.
• Prioritize Protein: Consume at least 100 grams of protein daily, as tolerated.
• Hydration: Drink 80 to 90 ounces of water each day. Since GLP-1s can make it harder to notice hunger and thirst, staying hydrated is especially important.
• Strategic Eating: Focus on low-fat proteins and leafy greens. Avoid highly processed or sugary foods, which can trigger inflammation and often cause nausea for those on these medications.
• Meal Prep: Plan your meals ahead of time, especially your biggest meal of the week, so you don’t have to rely on processed foods when things get busy.
• Supplementation: Because of the current state of the American food supply, Dr. Standifer-Barrett suggests taking a good multivitamin, Vitamin D, magnesium, zinc, and collagen to help support bone and skin health.

Managing Stress and Finding Balance

Managing stress is also very important.

“That’s killing us more than anything right now. Stress inevitably causes inflammation, which leads to arterial buildup, heart attacks, strokes, and rising blood pressure. Managing stress is real. Being strategic and intentional about it is important. If you need to wear a monitor or use an app, do it,” she says.

As a professional, she knows how important it is to take a break when needed.

“My job is very stressful, so when I get a signal that I’m stressed, I step out, take a minute, and refocus—breathing or meditation—to center myself. I allow myself to be human. I tell my patients, ‘I need a second,’ and then I come back. Being in a regular pattern of exercise and eating well also helps your body navigate stress better,” Dr. Standier-Barrett shares.

Overall, she wants patients to know that GLP-1s are not a complete solution.

“You still have to do the work. You still have to eat well and prioritize strength training. It was interesting to see how many people were surprised to learn about the importance of protein. People thought they could just take the shot and that was it. It’s just one resource to add to your toolkit of wellness,” she concludes.

Final Takeaways for Patients

• Don’t ignore the basics: GLP-1s are a tool, not a cure-all. You must continue to eat well and exercise to see long-term success.
• Seek a holistic perspective: Don’t get so focused on weight that you neglect monitoring your blood pressure, cholesterol, and other metabolic markers.
• Listen to your body: These medications are not side-effect-free. If you are experiencing persistent nausea, vomiting, or dehydration, or if you have a history of thyroid cancer, have an honest conversation with your doctor about whether these medications are the right fit for you.
• Give yourself grace: Our lifestyles demand a lot of us. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a step back and evaluate your commitments. Prioritize filling your own cup so you can remain the architect of your own vitality.