Increased Use of GLP-1 Medications Among Young Adults: Examining Trends and Concerns

GLP-1 medications, such as semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro), are gaining popularity for weight loss and diabetes management. Increasingly, their use is prevalent among younger adults, with reports indicating the trend’s infiltration onto college campuses.

Research shows that adults under 40 are the fastest-growing demographic using GLP-1s, particularly young women. According to a 2024 analysis published in JAMA, 162,439 adults aged 18 to 25 received a GLP-1 prescription in 2023. Women constitute 76.4% of these patients, utilizing medications for diabetes and weight management.

The 2025 Monitoring the Future survey highlighted that 2% of students from grades 8, 10, and 12 have used prescription GLP-1 medications, with another 2% using them without prescriptions. At some elite universities, particularly within sorority recruitment processes, GLP-1 drugs have quietly become a norm, as argued by a feature in The Cut titled “The Secret ‘Ozempidemic’ on Sorority Row.”

Three female students interviewed under anonymity shared using compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide to enhance their chances during sorority rush and conform to the thin beauty ideal. Social media influence and weight-loss competitions among friends have contributed to increased GLP-1 use. One student expressed surprise at the availability of these medications for non-overweight individuals. A former sorority recruiter noted a perception of GLP-1s as an easy option for weight management.

“For many young women who have arrived on campus, thinness seems like the ticket to the best college experience,” one student remarked.

Jay Campbell, an expert on peptides and longevity, stated that although GLP-1 drugs were designed for addressing metabolic issues, they are now seen as cosmetic shortcuts. He noted sororities thrive on social visibility and comparison, leading to rapid weight loss being shared widely.

For college students considering weight-loss medications, Campbell suggests several steps before beginning treatment:

• Ensure medical appropriateness: If you are not obese or metabolically compromised, question the necessity of the medication.
• Protect muscle during weight loss: Muscle loss can be prevented with protein intake and resistance training.
• Consider fertility implications: GLP-1 medications are not recommended during pregnancy.
• Mental health discussions: It is crucial for young adults with mental health issues to discuss any mood changes with their prescriber.
• Understand long-term data limits: Long-term effects on individuals starting with a normal body weight remain unknown.

Campbell emphasized the importance of consulting a qualified prescriber to monitor and adjust treatment, ensuring safety and effectiveness.