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GLP-1 drugs have been in the news a lot lately. Most recently, Serena Williams went public about taking GLP-1s as part of her weight loss journey. In a nutshell, GLP-1s are a trending topic—and one that might come up on your child’s FYP (for you page) on TikTok or other social media platforms.
As such, many parents are wondering how best to talk about GLP-1s with their tweens and teens. What information do kids already have about these medications? What might parents need to clarify? Importantly, how can tweens and teens balance health and wellness along with pressures to be thin, lose weight, or have an Instagram-worthy body?
Here, we’ll take a deep dive on the subject of GLP-1 drugs, and how to talk about them with your tween or teen.
What Are GLP-1 Drugs?
Although GLP-1 drugs have been all over the news, and you may know people IRL who take them, you might not be totally clear about what they are exactly.
Simply put, GLP-1 drugs stand for “glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists,” a class of drugs that are approved to treat endocrine conditions like Type 2 diabetes and obesity. They work by lowering your glucose levels.
There are several different GLP-1 drugs on the market, including:
- Ozempic (brand name for semaglutide)
- Wegovy (brand name for semaglutide)
- Trulicity (brand name for dulaglutide)
- Victoza (brand name for liraglutide)
There are other drugs similar to GLP-1s that aren’t in the same exact drug category. For instance Mounjaro (brand name for tirzepatide) and Zepbound (brand name for tirzepatide) are both dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonists. They work similarly to GLP-1 drugs, helping with glucose metabolism and weight loss.
Who Are GLP-1 Drugs For?
Both GLP-1 drugs and dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonists are primarily for people who have type 2 diabetes. Some of these medications are also FDA-approved for weight loss, and the ones that aren’t are often prescribed off-label for weight loss.
Wegovy is a GLP-1 drug that’s only indicated for weight loss and to prevent chronic conditions associated with obesity or being overweight. Some GLP-1 medications are also indicated to help with other health issues. For example, Ozempic is approved to decrease the risk of kidney disease and death from cardiovascular disease in people with Type 2 diabetes.
What to Know About GLP-1 Drugs and Weight Loss
In general, GLP-1 drugs and related medications help manage health conditions related to metabolic issues like Type 2 diabetes. Weight loss is often a side effect of these medications. Not only do they balance blood sugar, but they help increase feelings of fullness, slow down digestion, and help reduce food craving or “food noise.” It’s estimated that GLP-1 medications result in between a 5% to 15% body weight loss.
Importantly, doctors advise anyone taking a GLP-1 medication for weight loss to also engage in wholesome, nutritious eating and exercise as part of a healthy and sustainable weight loss plan.
Is It Safe for Teens to Take GLP-1 Drugs?
In 2023, the Academy of American Pediatrics said that obesity medications may be prescribed to children aged 12 and up who are obese, especially children with severe obesity. As the AAP notes, obesity in children has been linked to serious health issues like liver disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. The AAP suggests that obesity medication may make sense to use in children along with lifestyle modifications like diet and exercise.
According to JAMA, the number of adolescents and young adults using GLP-1 medications rose substantially between 2020 and 2023—a 594.4% increase. Still, instances of teens and teens using these drugs is relatively uncommon.
“GLP-1 drugs are rarely indicated for teens, though there are certain circumstances in which a pediatric specialist (like an endocrinologist or an obesity medicine physician) may recommend them,” says Whitney Casares, MD, MPH, pediatrician and author of My-One-of-a-Kind Body.
“If teens do try these drugs, they need to be aware that they carry risks, including rapid weight loss, muscle loss, and gastrointestinal issues.”
Tips for Talking to Kids About GLP-1s
With the proliferation of GLP-1s being discussed on social media—along with the fact that many adults are taking them—kids may naturally have questions about these drugs.
“Their questions usually center around what they’re for and why their parents are taking them,” says Dr. Casares. Additionally, since GLP-1s need to be refrigerated, they are typically more visible to kids than other medications their parents may be taking, Dr. Casares notes.
“The teens I see in my pediatrics practice generally think these medications are designed for quick weight-loss since that’s often how they’re advertised on social media and in television ads,” says Dr. Casares. “They also believe they are safe and easy to use since so many social media influencers portray them that way.”
All of this is why it’s important to address the facts about GLP-1s, dispel some myths, and touch upon important issues like body image. Here are some tips for talking about GLP-1s with kids.
Be a Safe Space for Your Child to Talk to About GLP-1s
First and foremost, you should make an effort to create a safe and non-judgmental space for your child to ask their questions. “When your teen sees an advertisement for GLP-1 drugs or asks you about them, start by getting curious,” Dr. Caseres recommends. “Ask your teen to walk you through what they think these medications are for and why people use them. If you start by gaining clarity around your teen’s perspective, your conversation with them will be more productive.”
Explain What GLP-1s Are Intended For
Because of how they are discussed online, most tweens and teens think that GLP-1 medications are for weight loss only. But that’s not all there is to know about them. In fact, weight loss wasn’t why they were first developed, says Dr. Casares. “These drugs were originally developed for diabetes, then approved for weight loss, and are now being studied to see how they affect a variety of mental health disorders, including addiction and food noise,” she explains.
If you’re a parent who takes GLP-1 drugs for a specific health condition, like joint pain, high blood pressure, or dysregulated blood sugars, you can lead your discussion with that, Dr. Casares recommends. “We want our children to understand that these medications should, first and foremost, be used to treat medical conditions and health issues, not to achieve a certain aesthetic,” she emphasizes.
Dispel Myths About GLP-1s
Besides the fact that GLP-1s aren’t just for weight loss or to achieve a certain physique, there are other myths to address with your child. Dr. Casares suggests mentioning the fact that like any medication, they are both risks and benefits to GLP-1s and that they shouldn’t just be thought of as an “easy fix” for weight loss. For instance, some GLP-1s cause GI upset and muscle loss, she notes.
Discuss How GLP-1s Are Portrayed in Social Media
Erin Parks, PhD, a clinical psychologist and co-founder at Equip, a virtual eating disorder treatment program, is especially concerned with how GLP-1s are portrayed on social media, with a focus on things like “before and after” photos, “success stories,” and speculation about which celebrities are using GLP-1s.
“What worries me the most is how the content on our feeds around weight loss, thinness, and GLP-1s is usually framed as self-improvement or wellness, suggesting that it may be harmful to stay the same size,” Dr. Parks explains. “Teens are incredibly attuned to what’s happening in the zeitgeist, and I [am concerned] that they are picking up on the misconception that thinness equates to health.”
Tips for Talking to Kids About Body Image
GLP-1s in and of themselves are not harmful, especially when prescribed and monitored by a health professional, but the discussion around body image and what is needed to achieve a “perfect” body can be extremely harmful for young people.
When talking to your child about body image and social media, Dr. Park’s says you should emphasize that:
- It’s normal for bodies to change and grow in the teen years.
- In the same way that we all have different hair colors and shoe sizes, we are all meant to be in different body sizes and shapes.
- It’s normal and universal to experience insecurity about your body, and social media can make it worse.
- Social media reinforces one idea of beauty, and it usually isn’t reality.
Dr. Parks also recommends that parents ask their teens to consider questions like:
- Do you notice that the more time you spend on social media, the less you like your body?
- Do you notice that the more time you spend with certain friends who critique their own bodies, the more you dislike your body?
Considering these questions may help your teen see that addressing other aspects of their lives may help them feel more secure and at peace in their body.
— Tips for Talking to Kids About Body Image
When to Reach Out for Help
If your tween or teen is struggling with obesity, along with some of the health conditions linked to obesity, exploring the use of a GLP-1—along with diet and exercise changes—is something you can consider. Your best bet is to bring this up with a pediatrician or health care provider, who may refer you to a pediatric endocrinologist or other specialist.
Importantly, if your teen is showing signs of obsessing about their weight, skipping meals, withdrawing socially, or expressing deep shame about their body, it’s time to reach out to a healthcare provider who specializes in eating disorders or teen mental health, Dr. Parks suggests.
“Even if your teen hasn’t changed their eating habits but is focused on weight loss or GLP-1s, that’s still a red flag,” Dr. Parks emphasizes. “Early intervention matters, and getting help sooner can make the biggest difference.”