GLP-1 Medications Are Everywhere Online, and That's a Problem

Kate Gombach has been in recovery from an eating disorder for four years. She remembers when being very thin was seen as beautiful, with celebrities like Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie being very thin.

Gombach says she didn't think she could live a healthy life until she got treatment. She thought she had to be thin because of her body type.

After treatment, Gombach was able to avoid things that triggered her eating disorder. But recently, she's seen a lot of ads for GLP-1 medications, which suppress appetite and hunger.

Gombach sees people losing weight everywhere, especially on social media. Some creators who used to promote body positivity are now talking about weight loss.

Even when Gombach tries to avoid these ads, she still sees them on Instagram, TikTok, and TV.

Gombach is trying to stay in recovery despite all the weight loss ads. She says it's not easy, but she's trying to focus on her health.

Gombach is not alone. Many people in recovery are struggling with the same issue.

In 2025, two pharmaceutical companies spent $700 million on ads for their GLP-1 medications.

These ads have made weight loss content hard to avoid. Some people are even buying a drug called 'retatrutide' on the black market, which is not approved by the FDA.

Influencers are also promoting weight loss and wellness, which is making diet culture popular again.

People in recovery are struggling to stay healthy.

Jessica Scheer, CEO of the National Eating Disorders Association, says it's hard to protect people in recovery from these ads.

Gombach spends a lot of time on social media, where she connects with people who are also in recovery.

But experts say social media can be bad for people in recovery because it's hard to avoid diet culture and disordered eating content.

A survey found that many people are upset by GLP-1 ads on social media.

Another survey found that clinicians are talking to patients about GLP-1 ads and how they can trigger disordered eating.

New research suggests that people with eating disorders may be more likely to use GLP-1 medications.

People with a history of disordered eating may be more at risk online because they are shown more content that can trigger their eating disorder.

A study found that TikTok's algorithm shows users more content that can be bad for their mental health if they have a history of disordered eating.

The researchers say this is because TikTok's algorithm thinks users are engaged when they linger on content, even if it's bad for them.

The study had some limitations, and TikTok didn't comment on the research.

Dr. Blair Burnette, an expert on eating disorders, says the study's findings are very disturbing.

Burnette says that people who are struggling with eating disorders are being shown more harmful content, which can make their condition worse.

A survey found that people who look for body-positive content on social media are shown more content about fitness and body transformation.

Dr. Elizabeth Wassenaar, a medical director, says that social media usage is a big issue in treatment, especially with the rise of GLP-1 medications.

Wassenaar says that patients are vulnerable to posts about GLP-1 weight loss, and platforms are responding to it.

Many platforms offer content controls, but they may not be enough to protect people in recovery.

Scheer says that eating disorder content can change and hide in different forms, such as wellness trends.

Scheer points out that advertising phrases like 'take control of your health' can be triggering for people with disordered eating habits.

The diet industry is using language from recovery and anti-diet spaces to sell their products.

Sharon Maxwell, a weight inclusivity advocate, says that people with eating disorders are very susceptible to these ads.

Maxwell says it's a good business model, but it's not healthy for people.

Maxwell started posting online after they left a restrictive cult and were diagnosed with an eating disorder.

Maxwell built a career offering weight-inclusive curriculum, but their work has dwindled in recent years.

Maxwell says that the human safety teams they used to work with have been reconfigured or shrunk, and they've seen a rise in anti-fat content.

Maxwell says that creators they used to work with have pivoted to sponsored GLP-1 posts.

Content about GLP-1s is hard to moderate because it's often linked to stereotypes about larger bodies and weight loss.

Wassenaar says that GLP-1 marketing can generate guilt and shame in people in recovery.

Wassenaar says that GLP-1 marketing suggests that people need to change their physical appearance, and that there are many choices available.

Wassenaar says that this messaging is insidious and can be very harmful.

Maxwell says they'd be lying if they didn't feel tempted to use GLP-1s for weight loss.

Gombach also wonders about GLP-1s, and says that two of her doctors tried to prescribe her a GLP-1 based on her body mass index.

Gombach asks if people would be nicer to her if she lost weight.

Maxwell and Gombach say that GLP-1s are not the solution to their problems.

Maxwell says that the outcome of being in a smaller body is appealing, but they know what happens if they engage in intentional weight loss.

Gombach has finished her master's in clinical mental health counseling and specializes in eating disorder care.

Gombach uses practices she learned in acceptance and commitment therapy to cope with weight-loss messaging.

Gombach focuses on 'clarity of intention,' or the reality that companies are trying to sell her something.

Gombach trains her algorithm by unfollowing creators who announce they're on a GLP-1 drug.

Gombach says she hasn't considered quitting social media because it still helps her.

Dr. Erin Parks, co-founder of Equip, says that even former patients' best efforts to filter content can be undone by algorithms.

Parks says that patients should consider whether being on their phone is like trying not to drink but spending all their time in a bar.

Parks recommends that people in recovery curate their feed with a clinician and stay open to their changing needs.

Maxwell has scaled back their time online because of GLP-1s, and now highlights the joys of living in a larger body.

Maxwell says that recovery allows them to have a life, and that's what's important.

Maxwell still envisions a future where social media can support people in recovery and fight weight discrimination.

Maxwell says they have hope, but not as much as they used to.

If you are concerned about your eating behavior, you can visit the National Eating Disorders Association website for more information.

You can also text CONNECT to 741741 for immediate support from a trained volunteer at the Crisis Text Line.

Topics include Health, Mental Health, and Social Good.

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