Adolescents face compounded GLP-1 eating disorder risk because ED prevalence peaks during adolescence while social media exposure is highest

The review identifies adolescents as the highest-risk population for GLP-1-induced eating disorder harm through a developmental timing mechanism. Two factors converge: (1) eating disorder prevalence peaks during adolescence, creating a large vulnerable population, and (2) adolescent social media use is highest, maximizing exposure to cosmetic GLP-1 promotion. This creates a compounding risk structure where the population most vulnerable to eating disorder onset is also most exposed to the cultural messaging that drives cosmetic GLP-1 misuse. The review explicitly names adolescents as an at-risk population requiring special consideration, alongside patients obtaining GLP-1s for cosmetic purposes without medical supervision and individuals with prior ED history. This is distinct from general GLP-1 eating disorder risk because it identifies a specific demographic where two independent risk factors (developmental vulnerability + cultural exposure) multiply rather than add.

Supporting Evidence

Source: PMC12835689, January 2026

Adolescent case progressed from prescription to life-threatening cardiac complications (bradycardia 38 bpm, pericardial effusion) within 6 months, demonstrating rapid escalation in developmentally vulnerable population. Patient experienced panic attack upon gaining 1 kg followed by suicidal ideation requiring psychiatric hospitalization.