What Young People Really Think About Ozempic and Weight Loss Drugs | Research

The takeaway

A survey of 753 youth (ages 14-24) reveals widespread familiarity with semaglutide but complex attitudes about weight loss medications influenced by social media and body image concerns.

753 youth surveyed
National survey of young people ages 14-24 reveals widespread familiarity with semaglutide and complex attitudes about weight loss medication use

What the researchers found

Youth ages 14-24 show widespread familiarity with semaglutide for weight loss, with complex attitudes influenced by social media, body image concerns, and potential vulnerability to weight-related discourse.

Why it matters

Young people are particularly susceptible to social media messaging about body weight. Understanding their attitudes helps design appropriate public health messaging and clinical guidance around these popular drugs.

The numbers in context

753 participants, 547 (73%) responded. Average age 20.4. 50.3% female. 73.6% had heard of Ozempic/Wegovy. March 2024 text message poll.

How the study worked

Survey of 753 youth participants (ages 14-24) from the MyVoice national panel, using 5 open-ended questions about weight loss medication awareness and opinions.

Who was studied

US youth aged 14-24

What this study cannot tell us

Open-ended survey — responses may not capture the full complexity of youth attitudes. Self-selected panel may not be nationally representative.

How to read the evidence

Qualitative/mixed-methods survey — provides rich insight into youth perspectives but may not be statistically generalizable.

When this study was published

Published in 2025, capturing youth attitudes during peak semaglutide media coverage.

The bigger picture

The cultural impact of GLP-1 drugs extends beyond medicine into youth culture, social media, and body image discourse — with implications for both public health and adolescent wellbeing.

Questions still open

Is social media coverage of weight loss drugs increasing disordered eating behaviors among youth?
How should clinicians discuss GLP-1 drugs with adolescent patients who request them?

Common questions

Are young people trying to get Ozempic for weight loss?

This study found widespread awareness and interest among youth ages 14-24, driven largely by social media. While not all want to use these drugs, the cultural conversation around them is influencing how young people think about weight, body image, and medication.

Should parents be concerned about social media and weight loss drugs?

The study highlights that social media exposure to weight loss drug messaging may increase body dissatisfaction and interest in weight loss medications among vulnerable youth. Open discussions about healthy body image and appropriate medication use are recommended.

Read the original research

Youth Perspectives on the Use of Medications for Weight Loss.

The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 77(2), 262-268

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Peyyety, Vaishnavi; Jankowski, Margaret; Apte, Sarah; Sindelar, Jasmine; Elrajabi, Rawan; Chang, Tammy; Sonneville, Kendrin; Vajravelu, Mary Ellen. (2025). Youth Perspectives on the Use of Medications for Weight Loss.. The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 77(2), 262-268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2025.02.011