A recent global study has uncovered a worrying trend in the use of nonprescription weight-loss products among adolescents, sparking concerns over the potential physical and mental health risks faced by young people. The research, which analysed data from more than 600,000 participants, found that nearly 1 in 10 adolescents has used unregulated weight-loss supplements during their lifetime, raising alarms over the safety and accessibility of these products.
Researchers from Deakin University and Monash University in Australia, along with collaborators from Harvard University, conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis that led to the findings. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, synthesises data from 90 studies across 25 countries, providing a comprehensive view of the global scale of the issue.
According to Natasha Yvonne Hall, a researcher from Deakin University: “The use of nonprescribed weight-loss products in adolescents is a public health concern that is associated with negative physical and psychological consequences. However, the prevalence of nonprescribed weight-loss product use in adolescents is unknown. Whilst there are single weight-loss product studies available, this meta-analysis combines all available individual studies to provide an overall prevalence of adolescent weight-loss product use that has greater statistical power due to the inclusion of 90 studies, which include 604,552 participants.”
The analysis revealed that approximately 5.5% of adolescents globally had used nonprescription weight-loss products, such as diet pills, laxatives, and diuretics, within various time frames. The highest reported usage was in North America, where lifetime prevalence of use reached nearly 9%. Adolescents in other regions, including Asia and Europe, also demonstrated significant usage patterns, albeit at lower rates. The study highlights the considerable gender disparity in product use, with adolescent girls far more likely to turn to these unregulated supplements than boys.
Hall further commented on the staggering findings: “Our study found that lifetime prevalence for use of diet pills (unspecified diet pills) was the highest at 6%, this was followed by laxatives at 4% and finally diuretics, which had a 2% prevalence. The fact that almost 1 in 10 adolescents have used these products in their lifetime was staggering, and furthermore, that 5% of girls have used these products in the last week. Our study also found that the prevalence is increasing – when we included studies pre-2000, the lifetime prevalence was 5%, when studies post-2000 were included, the lifetime prevalence was 10%, and when studies after 2010 were included, the prevalence was 13%. These results demonstrate that we need to invest time and resources into reducing the use of these products in teenagers.”
The study emphasises that the use of nonprescription weight-loss products in adolescence is linked to a range of negative outcomes. These products, which are often marketed as quick solutions for weight loss, not only fail to deliver lasting results but also pose significant health risks. Long-term use of these supplements can lead to nutritional deficiencies, digestive problems, and increased vulnerability to developing eating disorders. Furthermore, adolescents who use weight-loss products without medical supervision are more likely to suffer from low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety, creating a dangerous cycle of poor mental and physical health.
Hall stressed the urgency for action: “We need rules around who can buy these products and who can promote these products on social media.” She added, “It is important to understand the prevalence of non-prescribed weight-loss products in adolescents in order to demonstrate that it is a significant public health concern. We know that these products are ineffective and dangerous for weight loss for anyone, especially adolescents, and are easily bought over the counter (meaning without a prescription) in pharmacies.”
The study’s authors call for stronger regulations surrounding the sale and marketing of nonprescription weight-loss products, particularly those targeted at young people. In many countries, these products are easily accessible both online and in-store, with little to no oversight regarding their safety or effectiveness. The researchers stress that more needs to be done to protect vulnerable adolescents from the potential harms of these supplements.
Hall pointed to regulatory actions taken in the US as an example of progress: “Recently, New York State has placed a ban on selling weight-loss products to those under 18 years old (both online and in stores). The new ruling will come into effect in April of this year, with other American states set to follow suit.”
In addition to regulatory measures, the study highlights the importance of education and intervention at the community level. Schools, parents, and healthcare providers all have a role to play in promoting healthy attitudes towards body image and weight management, particularly in an age of increasing social media influence. Hall noted: “Future plans involve further research into the prevalence and harms related to weight-loss product use, especially in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, so that more countries around the world place stricter regulations on weight-loss product sales and advertising (especially via social media) to adolescents.”
