Ozempic use spreads in sororities as college women reportedly chase thinness

Key Points:

• Use of GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide is rapidly increasing among young adults under 40, especially women, with 162,439 individuals aged 18-25 receiving prescriptions in 2023 for diabetes and weight management.
• Reports indicate that GLP-1 weight-loss drugs have become prevalent on some college campuses, particularly among sorority members facing pressure to achieve extreme thinness influenced by social media and competitive beauty standards.
• Experts warn that while GLP-1s are effective for metabolic conditions, their use by young, non-obese women as a cosmetic shortcut can lead to unhealthy rapid weight loss, muscle loss, and potential fertility issues, emphasizing the need for proper medical supervision.
• College students considering GLP-1 treatment are advised to assess medical necessity, maintain muscle through protein intake and resistance training, consider fertility impacts, address mental health, and acknowledge the lack of long-term safety data for young, healthy users.
• Specialists stress that GLP-1 medications should not replace foundational lifestyle changes and should be prescribed and monitored by qualified healthcare providers to ensure safe and appropriate use.