Health

Fox News reports college women turning to GLP-1 drugs for sorority rush

Fox News reports that young women are increasingly using weight-loss injections for aesthetic reasons during sorority recruitment.

Updated Sep 20, 2026 · 14:16 UTC1 reports

The short version

Prescription and compounded GLP-1 medications are reportedly spreading among college students seeking rapid weight loss ahead of competitive sorority recruitment.[Fox News]
Data indicates growing adoption among younger demographics, with a 2024 JAMA study showing over 162,000 young adults received GLP-1 prescriptions in 2023, the majority being women.[Fox News]
Commentators note the drugs, originally formulated for metabolic conditions, are increasingly treated by students as cosmetic shortcuts driven by social media and peer comparison.[Fox News]

A 2024 analysis published in JAMA indicated that 162,439 young adults ages 18 to 25 received a dispensed GLP-1 prescription in 2023, with women comprising 76.4% of recipients.[Fox News]
The 2025 Monitoring the Future survey revealed that 2% of surveyed 8th, 10th, and 12th graders reported using a prescription GLP-1, and 2% reported non-prescription use.[Fox News]
Market research indicates that GLP-1 drugs are expanding most rapidly among adults under 40, especially young women.[Fox News]
College students interviewed in media accounts reported taking compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide to enhance their appearance during sorority rush.[Fox News]

The full extent of cosmetic GLP-1 use on college campuses relies heavily on anecdotal accounts and anonymous student interviews.[Fox News]
The 2024 JAMA prescription figures do not distinguish between medications prescribed for diabetes management versus cosmetic or weight-loss purposes.[Fox News]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.