Children relentlessly exposed to weight loss drug promotion online, commissioner warns

Back to news list

Source: BMJ

Original: http://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s291.short?rss=1...

Published: 2026-02-12T07:36:39-08:00

England's Children's Commissioner is warning that children and young people are being relentlessly exposed to online advertising of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) weight loss drugs. Four out of ten children and young people have seen such content online. Almost one in ten respondents may have bought or taken over-the-counter diet pills that were advertised online. These findings relate to ages 13 to 17. The report says girls in particular are exposed to diet and weight loss products despite a ban on prescription drug advertising. The commissioner described the findings as deeply worrying and suggested better protection of young people, including regulation of online sales.