GLP-1 Drugs Surge on Campus

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are growing fastest among adults under 40, especially young women.

College Students Use GLP-1s

A 2024 JAMA analysis found 162,439 young adults ages 18 to 25 received at least one GLP-1 prescription in 2023, with women accounting for 76.4%.

2% of Students Use GLP-1s

The 2025 Monitoring the Future survey found 2% of students in grades 8, 10, and 12 reported using prescription GLP-1 medications.

Sorority Rush Trend

Three female students said they use compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide to improve rush chances and meet thin beauty ideals.

Social Pressure to Thin

Students described pressure to look extremely thin, with social media and weight-loss competitions fueling increased GLP-1 use.

Sorority Recruiter Quote

One former sorority recruiter said, 'It's like, 'Well, there's no excuse for people to be fat because they could just get a GLP-1.''

“It's like, 'Well, there's no excuse for people to be fat because they could just get a GLP-1.'”

Cosmetic Shortcut

Jay Campbell, a longevity expert, called GLP-1s 'hijacked as a cosmetic shortcut' for young women with normal BMI.

Rapid Weight Loss

When one girl drops 15 pounds in six weeks, that news spreads through sorority houses faster than any diet fad in history.

Body Image Sensitivity

College-aged women already have high body-image sensitivity, which is heightened by social contagion trends.

Rapid Weight Loss Risks

Rapid weight loss without protein or resistance training can cause greater muscle loss, leading to 'Ozempic face' and 'Ozempic body' changes.

Five Steps for Safe Use

Campbell recommends five steps: know medical appropriateness, protect muscle, understand fertility, discuss mental health, and recognize long-term data limits.

What Happens Next

Experts urge college women to consult qualified prescribers before using GLP-1s for weight loss to avoid health risks.