Diet pills, the '90s and why the GLP-1 craze is worrying some experts
Diet pills, the '90s and why the GLP-1 craze is worrying some experts
Sara Moniuszko, USA TODAYThu, April 30, 2026 at 12:01 PM UTC
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It was the '90s. Beauty standards were set by supermodels, and society's obsession with being thin birthed the hip-hugging low-rise jeans of Y2K. But often hiding behind the fashion glitz and glam were bottles of fen-phen, Redux and other diet pills that fueled the "heroin chic" aesthetic of the era.
The '90s aesthetic was eclipsed by the celebration of a different kind of celebrity − women like Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian and JLo were idealized for their curves. Eventually, entire movements and terms emerged, like body positivity and body neutrality.
But lately, there's concern about a "larger cultural swing towards the thin ideal yet again," says Sam DeCaro, director of clinical outreach and education at The Renfrew Center, which specializes in eating disorder treatment.
For those who need them, GLP-1s can be a life-changing tool and lead to significant health benefits. But now with FDA-approved weight loss pills on the market, some mental health and eating disorder experts are concerned that the prevalence of these medications are a return to a time where diet culture is everywhere, and they worry people with a history of disordered eating may seek out GLP-1s in pill form as they become a cultural norm.
"Unfortunately, it seems like a lot of people who are seeking out these medications are not being screened for eating disorders (and) they're also not being monitored for the onset of eating disorder symptoms once they're on the medication," says DeCaro, who holds a doctorate in psychology.
She hopes that as it becomes "easier to access these medications for the wrong reasons," treatment teams become the standard. "Not just a doctor, but also hopefully a therapist and a dietitian who specializes in eating disorders," she said.
Medically, GLP-1 pills are "very different" from the diet pills of the '90s, says Dr. Sarah Gupta, psychiatrist and medical director at mental health service platform Modern Health − though she understands why there are comparisons and concerns.
"Many of those earlier drugs were focused almost entirely on weight loss, often without strong evidence of broader health benefits," Gupta said. "With GLP-1 medications, we’re seeing something more complex. There’s growing evidence that, beyond weight loss, they can lower the risk of serious cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke, and support broader metabolic health."
But Gupta says there are valid concerns about how these medications are showing up in culture.
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"When something with real clinical value becomes highly visible, including among people who may not be using it for medical reasons, it can start to shape expectations around body size in ways that go beyond health," she said. "It also creates cultural pressure to conform to certain body standards, regardless of your actual health. And in some people, these medications may also trigger, or worsen, disordered eating.”
Some reality TV fans saw this play out on their screens earlier this year on "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives." Star Layla Taylor revealed she was using GLP-1 medications despite her history of disordered eating and body image issues. In an Instagram post following the season's premiere in March, Taylor said she was in treatment and was no longer on the medication.
DeCaro hopes people aren't accessing these medications simply to "make it easier to engage in their eating disorder, make it easier to restrict (and) make it easier to under nourish themselves."
In a statement to USA TODAY, a spokesperson from Ro, an online platform that offers these medications, said "all potential patients complete an online visit that asks for information about their weight loss and personal health goals, clinical status, and medical history − including diagnoses of disordered eating."
"This comprehensive online visit helps a provider determine treatment eligibility at the onset as well as track a patient’s treatment response and progress over time," the statement continued. "To ensure the right patients are getting the most appropriate treatment, individuals with a diagnosed history of disordered eating are screened and recommended to seek in-person care rather than on Ro."
Keeping the conversation grounded in health and science is the way forward, Gupta says, including "who these medications are appropriate for, how they’re used safely − while also being mindful of the broader social impact."
DeCaro adds it's important to remember these medications are not approved as a treatment for an eating disorder − and that long-term effects of the drugs are largely unknown.
"Weight loss is not a treatment or a cure for an eating disorder, either," she notes. "The good news is there's treatment and support out there for people who are struggling."
If you or someone you know is struggling with body image or eating concerns, the National Eating Disorders Association's toll-free and confidential helpline is available by phone or text at 1-800-931-2237 or by click-to-chat message atnationaleatingdisorders.org/helpline. For 24/7 crisis situations, text "NEDA" to 741-741.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Diet pills ruled the '90s. How do GLP-1 pills differ?
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