Use of GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs Increases Among College Women, Including Sorority Members

Prescription GLP-1 drugs, originally approved for diabetes and obesity treatment, are seeing rising use among young adults, particularly women aged 18 to 25. A 2024 analysis in JAMA reported that 162,439 individuals in this age group received at least one GLP-1 prescription in 2023, with women comprising 76.4% of those patients. A separate 2025 survey found that 2% of high-school students had used a GLP-1 medication, either with or without a prescription.

A feature in The Cut described the drugs as becoming part of campus culture at certain elite universities, noting that some sorority members use compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide to meet perceived thinness standards during recruitment. One student said thinness feels like “the ticket into the best possible college experience,” while another expressed surprise that a 19-year-old who is not overweight could obtain the medication.

Longevity and peptide expert Jay Campbell said the drugs were designed for metabolic disorders but are being “hijacked as a cosmetic shortcut” by some young women with normal body-mass indexes. He warned that rapid weight loss without adequate protein intake or resistance training can lead to loss of lean muscle mass and noted potential long-term uncertainties for users who start the medication at a young age.

Campbell outlined five considerations for students contemplating GLP-1 therapy: confirming medical appropriateness, protecting muscle through protein and exercise, understanding fertility implications, discussing mental-health and eating-behavior concerns, and recognizing the lack of long-term safety data. He emphasized that treatment should involve a qualified prescriber who monitors health status and side effects.

Fox News Digital contacted the National Panhellenic Conference and GLP-1 manufacturers for comment, but no responses were provided.