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Are Teens and Young Adults Actually Using GLP-1s?

While a thinness craze resurfaces—fueled in part by GLP-1’s rise in popularity—YPulse data shows how many Gen Z are actually using them, and how many are interested…

Written and Edited by the YPulse Editorial Team

Aug 3 2026
North America

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Gen Z is being influenced by the return of skinny wellness trends, partly thanks to the popularity of Ozempic and other GLP-1s
Still, most of Gen Z isn’t trying them, despite what headlines might make you think
Young adults are more interested than teens, likely feeling more pressure to look a certain way and having the freedom to explore it

Gen Z once redefined wellness to be more inclusive and anti-diet, but in the last couple years, there’s been a sudden return to ‘90s-esque thinness culture, and they know it. YPulse’s Health and Fitness report shows the vast majority (81% of 13-17-year-olds) and young adults (79% of 18-24-year-olds) agree this year, “Health and wellness trends have gotten more extreme lately.” GLP-1 drugs are a major part of that story; while Ozempic was originally made as a diabetes medication, the drug has quickly become the poster child for a new wave of weight-loss obsession. Ozempic quickly went from a behind-the-scenes Hollywood...