The growing popularity of weight-loss medications, particularly GLP-1 drugs originally developed for diabetes, is significantly impacting how Generation Alpha and younger Gen Z perceive health and body image. While approximately one in eight Americans over 18 currently uses these drugs, their use among minors has also surged. In the past year, US doctors issued nearly 33,000 prescriptions for Wegovy and Zepbound to individuals under 18. This widespread use, coupled with cultural omnipresence and potentially dangerous imitations found online, is distorting young people's views on health, weight, and acceptance during crucial developmental stages.
Social media, especially TikTok, and even artificial intelligence, are heavily influencing these perceptions. Experts warn of potentially harmful and lasting effects. Many teenagers interviewed by Bloomberg Businessweek reported knowing peers who take GLP-1s without a clear medical need, sometimes even experimenting with leftover doses from friends or family. Some view these medications as a shortcut to avoid exercise and healthy eating, or as a simple fix for unwanted weight gain. Concerns also exist about adolescents using GLP-1s for conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome, or based on unsubstantiated internet claims about improving fertility.
Celebrity endorsements, such as Serena Williams, and reality TV shows like "The Kardashians" (which promotes supplements for GLP-1 production and weight management) further fuel this obsession. Teenagers, like 16-year-old Olivia Stepanow, are bombarded with GLP-1 advertisements on streaming platforms, leading them to question their body image. The long-term effects of starting GLP-1s during adolescence, when brains and bodies are still developing, are largely unknown. The cost is also a significant factor, as insurance often does not cover compounded weight-loss drugs, potentially costing individuals hundreds of thousands of dollars over a lifetime.
Medical professionals are particularly worried about the lagging detection of eating disorders compared to the increase in adolescent GLP-1 prescriptions. Psychologists note that the intense public celebration of weight loss creates inescapable pressure for teenagers. Telehealth startups like Equip, which treats eating disorders, have seen patients as young as 11 obtaining weight-loss medications without medical necessity. Some acquire them from parents or purchase them online using false birth dates or from foreign vendors not requiring prescriptions. Influencers and "looksmaxxing" trends on social media platforms like TikTok contribute to the perception that "everyone is doing it," profoundly affecting young women like 19-year-old Jessica Johnson, who developed an eating disorder at 16 due to constant social media pressure. TikTok states it prohibits content promoting eating disorders or dangerous weight-loss practices and restricts weight-loss ads to users over 18. The FDA has issued warnings to telehealth companies for misleading claims and has addressed TikTok regarding false or deceptive claims on its platform, but enforcing regulations in the rapidly evolving social media landscape remains a significant challenge.
