A disturbing trend is unfolding in Japan, where a diabetes medication is being misused for rapid weight loss, sparking serious health concerns and a debate about the influence of appearance-focused ideals.
The drug, approved for type 2 diabetes, has gained popularity among young individuals seeking drastic weight loss, often influenced by social media promotions. This trend has doctors worried about the potential risks associated with off-label use.
Many users acquire the medication online with minimal consultation, and some have reported severe side effects. This has experts raising alarms about the broader impact of appearance-focused values spreading through digital platforms and media.
One young woman, working in the cabaret industry, discovered the drug, Mounjaro, through an influencer's TikTok video showcasing weight loss. Eager to slim down, she consulted a clinic's website and completed a phone call. The drug arrived at her doorstep, and after taking it, she found herself below a healthy body mass index.
She shared, "The pressure to maintain a certain appearance is intense in my line of work."
Another individual, an office worker, began using the drug to lose weight before her wedding, influenced by a nurse's social media post about successful weight loss.
Professor Keiko Kishimoto, an expert in social pharmacology, highlights the issue with online and phone consultations, limiting clinicians' ability to assess patients' health accurately.
"When interactions are limited to phones or online, doctors can only gather so much information about a patient's condition," she explained.
Kishimoto also emphasized the ethical dilemma of professionals promoting medicines for non-medical purposes through advertising or discounts.
A 22-year-old cabaret worker shared her frightening experience after her first injection, describing nausea, fever, and depression. She decided to stop immediately, stating, "People shouldn't take it casually."
Kishimoto warned that those using the drug for non-approved purposes may not qualify for support under the Relief Services for Adverse Health Effects system, designed for patients experiencing side effects from legitimate medical treatment.
Pharmaceutical companies have also reminded the public that the drug's safety and effectiveness remain unconfirmed outside of diabetes therapy.
Experts attribute this rising misuse to a wider belief that equates thinness with beauty. A 2024 health ministry survey found that one in five to six women in their twenties are underweight.
The Japan Society for the Study of Obesity has proposed a new syndrome to describe health issues linked to being underweight and malnourished, warning that social media and fashion magazines may be driving young women towards restrictive diets.
Yoshifumi Tamura, from the My Well Body Council, emphasizes the need for awareness among young people about the distortion of images on social media and in mainstream media.
"Online and media content can be misleading, and it's crucial for people to understand that it doesn't always represent reality," he said.
Tamura suggests that Japan should follow the lead of the U.S. and Europe in implementing classes at the compulsory education level to help students understand their body image and appreciate diverse body shapes.
This trend raises important questions: How can we address the influence of social media and media on body image ideals? And what steps can be taken to ensure the safe and appropriate use of medications?
