Weight-loss injections and obesity treatments endorsed by celebrities are gaining huge attention on YouTube and social media. However, these trends are also raising worries about misuse and misleading health ideas, especially among young people.
Many celebrities say they have seen dramatic results from these treatments. They also mention side effects. Yet, just talking about these drugs can act as indirect promotion. This has caused concern about how these stories are shared and understood.
For celebrities, who often rely on their appearance, losing weight is common. They may do it for a movie role, a new image, or health reasons. Their weight-loss journeys get a lot of public attention.
Some stars openly share their personal methods, earning praise from fans. Recently, more testimonials about obesity drugs and weight-loss injections have appeared. But these often focus on the benefits and ignore the risks.
One popular drug is Wegovy. It works by suppressing appetite and is approved only for people with a body mass index (BMI) over 30, or over 27 if they have other health issues like high blood pressure or diabetes.
Wegovy’s popularity rose after U.S. celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Kim Kardashian shared their experiences. Since it launched in Korea, many have taken an interest.
YouTubers and entertainers such as Pungja, Pani Bottle, and comedian Kim Jun-ho have recently talked about using weight-loss injections. They credit these drugs for significant changes.
Pungja said she lost 14 kilograms after using Saxenda and Wegovy. She explained, “Wegovy didn’t make me feel sick, but my appetite was still there. I ate less, but wasn’t sure if I lost fat or just water. I’m not using it anymore.”
Pani Bottle said he dropped from over 70 kilograms to 64 after using Wegovy. In a YouTube chat with Kwak Tube, he joked, “Some people thought I was doing secret ads just because I lost weight with the shot.”
Kim Jun-ho, who is getting married in July, also used Wegovy. He went from 83 kilograms to 77. His fiancée, comedian Kim Ji-min, said, “Since the diet, he’s become more irritable. He used to be very positive but now seems more negative.”
Experts Warn of Misunderstandings
Health experts warn that many people wrongly think these drugs are for general or cosmetic use. The drugs are strictly prescribed only under certain conditions. Media often highlights their cosmetic appeal, which can mislead young audiences.
Even when side effects are mentioned, the focus is usually on the positive results. This can encourage casual or improper use.
A youth counselor said, “Many teenage girls are already taking diet pills. Compared to adults, teens who grow up with digital media find it harder to judge accurate health information. Media often ignores side effects and long-term risks, instead pushing the idea that these drugs create the ‘perfect’ body.”
She added, “Teenagers trust celebrities and influencers a lot. Adults may research failures and risks, but teens often just believe their favorite stars without looking deeper.”
The counselor also warned about cheaper, unverified alternatives to expensive drugs like Wegovy becoming more available.
“If these less regulated drugs are sold with similar claims, teens may use them and face unknown dangers. In the past, media exposure to certain drugs caused rises in youth drug problems,” she said.
With weight-loss injections becoming popular among celebrities, experts call for clearer rules on how these treatments are discussed. They stress the need to better protect young people from risky shortcuts in chasing beauty.
