Ozempic in Schools? The Dangerous Rise of Weight Loss Drugs Among Teens and Adults
Ozempic and eating disorders are two words we’re hearing together more and more—and not in a good way.
Becky Stone
Becky Stone is a dedicated therapist and certified eating disorder counsellor with extensive experience in supporting individuals through their recovery journeys. Based in the UK, Becky combines her professional expertise with personal insights to offer compassionate and non-judgmental care. She specializes in treating eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating, and is particularly skilled in working with neurodivergent clients. Through tools like the Recovery Record app, Becky empowers her clients to rebuild a healthy relationship with food and themselves. Her practice, Counsellor Who Cares, is a sanctuary of empathy and understanding.
The Rising Concern of Weight Loss Drugs Among Youth
We need to talk about the link between Ozempic and eating disorders, especially in teens.
I never thought I’d be writing a blog about this.
Lately, I’ve had one conversation after another in which the same word keeps coming up: Ozempic.
From therapy clients to CrossFit friends, from worried parents to teens trying to keep up with impossible standards, Ozempic isn’t longer a headline.
It’s in the schools.
It’s being shared on TikTok.
It’s changing how young people see their bodies before their brains have even finished developing.
And as a therapist who specialises in eating disorders, ADHD and trauma-informed recovery work, I’m worried
Let’s break this down: what’s happening and why it matters.
Weight loss drugs like Ozempic (a GLP-1 receptor agonist) were initially developed to treat Type 2 Diabetes. But they’ve exploded into mainstream conversation as a so-called “miracle” solution for fast weight loss.
The problem?
When teens and adults use them without proper medical oversight or emotional support, we’re not just talking about a physical impact.
We’re talking about a mental health storm.
Clients are telling me things like:
➔ “I went out for dinner and ate what felt like a normal amount. Then I felt huge.”
➔ “I can’t stop obsessing over how little I need to eat.”
➔ “I don’t even know what ‘hunger’ feels like anymore.”
And this isn’t just about hunger cues.
It’s about low self-esteem, body dysmorphia, and masked eating disorder behaviours.
It’s the kind of mental manipulation eating disorders thrive on:
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Shame.
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Secrecy.
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Obsession.
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Isolation.
Insight: Teens + Teachers
The rise of Ozempic and eating disorders is deeply concerning.
This drug is now becoming part of school culture.
Teens see the before-and-after videos. They notice when a teacher drops weight fast.
They hear the rumours and feel the pressure.
If your brain’s still developing, and you’re already wired for comparison and belonging, this becomes dangerous territory.
Especially if you’re neurodivergent. ADHD and autism often make people more black-and-white in their thinking, more vulnerable to “quick fix” promises.
What’s even more alarming?
Some teachers are reportedly using Ozempic, too.
This isn’t about shaming, it’s about recognising influence. Role models matter.
Ground it in science + safeguarding
We don’t yet fully understand how drugs like Ozempic impact the developing teenage brain.
But here’s what we do know:
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They can cause nausea, malnutrition, and muscle loss.
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When people stop taking them, they often regain fat, not muscle, leading to lower metabolism and greater physical insecurity.
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Ozempic doesn’t address underlying emotional struggles, trauma, or disordered eating patterns.
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Taking the drug may suppress appetite, but it can also suppress emotional regulation, confidence, and self-trust.
We’re setting kids up for a revolving door of body obsession, shame cycles, and food fear.
If safeguarding teams in schools aren’t aware, it will be too late to catch the risks, and we’ll be too late to see it.
Health Risks in Adolescents
The Dangers of Weight Loss Drugs for Teens
Fostering Self-Love in Teens
The Power of Positive Body Image
For parents:
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Talk to your teen. Ask them if they’ve heard about Ozempic.
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Listen without judgment.
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Learn the signs of disordered eating: obsession with portion sizes, body checking, and secretive behaviour around food.
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Speak to a GP or therapist if you’re concerned.
For teachers:
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Be mindful of the messages your weight loss might send.
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Get trained in eating disorder awareness.
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If you notice rapid weight loss or withdrawal in a student, please feel free to flag it early.
For adults:
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If you’re using Ozempic, ask yourself: What is needed for this meeting?
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Are you avoiding something deeper: shame, grief, control, or comparison?
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Know that support is available. You don’t need to shrink your body to be enough.
Holistic Approaches to Weight Management
Prioritizing Mental Health in Wellness
If this stirred something in you, pause.
Not to panic.
But to get curious.
➔ Could you or someone you love quietly struggle under the pressure of body ideals and quick-fix culture?
Help is available. And your worth is never measured in weight loss
Reach Out for Support Today
I’m Becky, a therapist who specialises in eating disorders, neurodivergence, and trauma-informed recovery.
I bring lived experience, creative approaches, and honest conversation into every session, whether we’re walking outdoors or connecting online.
If this blog resonated with you, I offer sessions for adults and teens who are navigating body image struggles, food challenges, and self-worth issues.
Reach out. You’re not alone.
