Rising Use of GLP-1 Medications Among Younger Adults on College Campuses

GLP-1 medications, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, are increasingly popular among young adults for weight loss and diabetes treatment. Market research indicates a surge in their use among those under 40, with young women being the fastest-growing demographic.

According to JAMA’s 2024 analysis, 162,439 young adults aged 18 to 25 received a dispensed GLP-1 prescription in 2023. Women represented 76.4% of these patients, with prescriptions covering both diabetes and weight management.

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The 2025 Monitoring the Future survey revealed that 2% of students in grades 8, 10, and 12 have used GLP-1 medications, while another 2% reported using them without a prescription.

A feature in The Cut highlights that GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are now part of campus culture at elite universities, especially during sorority rushes. Interviews with students under pseudonyms indicate the use of compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide to align with appearance ideals.

Female students discussed pressure to appear thin, citing social media and peer competitions as driving forces behind increased GLP-1 usage.

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Jay Campbell, longevity and peptide expert, described these drugs as a cosmetic shortcut for some, despite being intended as a solution for metabolic issues. Their use by young sorority members with normal BMIs is seen as an aesthetic hack.

Campbell explained the rapid dissemination of weight loss transformations within sorority houses due to quick results that don’t require nutrition or training discipline.

He noted many young women already struggle with body image issues, intensified by social contagion effects.

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Rapid weight loss without sufficient protein intake or resistance training might lead to loss of lean mass, Campbell warned, leading to changes known as “Ozempic face” and “Ozempic body.”

Steps College Students Should Take Before Starting GLP-1

For those considering weight-loss medications, Campbell offers the following guidance:

• Consider medical appropriateness: Evaluate if you truly need medication for a disease you don’t have.
• Maintain muscle health: Prevent muscle loss with adequate protein intake and resistance training.
• Fertility considerations: Avoid these medications during pregnancy and consider contraceptive effectiveness.
• Mental health awareness: Discuss mood and eating behaviors openly with a prescriber.
• Long-term data recognition: Remember the lack of long-term studies on GLP-1 use for women starting at normal body weight.

Campbell emphasized that treatment should be overseen by a qualified prescriber who evaluates the patient’s medical history, adjusts dosage as needed, and manages side effects. GLP-1 medications can suppress appetite but won’t address underlying metabolic issues.

Melissa Rudy, senior health editor at Fox News Digital, contributed to the story.