Unravelling the use of non-prescription weight-loss supplements by students in Egypt

More than 12% of students use non-prescription weight-loss supplements, almost half of them without prior medical consultation, a new study of undergraduates at an Egyptian university finds. The results raise concerns about health and safety, especially as many of the supplements are unregulated.

The research, by Nouralhoda Ahmed Abdalfattah and colleagues at Beni-Suef University, Egypt, used a self-administered questionnaire to investigate the prevalence, knowledge, practices and side effects related to using non-prescribed weight loss supplements. Their findings are published in De Gruyter Brill’s International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health.

With obesity rates rising across the world, many weight-loss supplements are now available over the counter, and their popularity continues to grow, especially among young adults. They are often marketed as quick and easy solutions, enabling users to avoid the effort required to sustain the behavioral changes recommended for losing weight. They can contain a wide range ingredients, including herbs, fiber, caffeine and minerals, which can be claimed to promote weight loss through a variety of mechanisms, such as by reducing the recipient’s absorption of fat or boosting their metabolism or satiety.

While Egypt has an obesity rate in the top twenty countries in the world at about 40%, this is one of the few studies to assess the knowledge and behaviors of students regarding weight-loss supplements. It found that 12.6% of the undergraduate students surveyed used non-prescription weight-loss supplements. Although this figure is slightly higher than the general population worldwide, it is far lower than student usage in neighboring countries, such as the United Arab Emirates.

Non-prescription weight-loss supplements, many of which are unregulated, can carry significant health risks. These include side effects and adverse interactions with other drugs. In this study, 40% of users reported experiencing at least one side effect, such as headaches, dizziness, gastrointestinal issues, palpitations and fatigue. Nevertheless, many users still continued taking the supplements.

While many users were aware of potential health risks, 43.6% of them still did not seek prior medical consultation and about 60% were influenced to take supplements by social media and family, the study found. The researchers believe that the ease of obtaining weight-loss supplements without prescriptions may also contribute to their usage.

Dr. Abdalfattah believes that young adults need to be better informed about weight-loss supplements. “This study highlights the need for structured educational campaigns, stronger regulatory enforcement and active engagement with young people through university-based health programs and other channels,” she said.

The paper can be found here: https://doi.org/10.1515/ijamh-2025-0124

De Gruyter Brill

Billy Sawyers

Communications

Tel: +49 30 260 05 164

billy.sawyers@degruyterbrill.com

www.degruyterbrill.com

De Gruyter Brill is a global leader in humanities publishing and beyond. Headquartered in Berlin, Germany, with its second-largest office in Leiden, The Netherlands, De Gruyter Brill publishes over 3,500 books and 800 journals annually, with a strong focus on the humanities and social sciences while covering science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Established in 2024 through the merger of De Gruyter (founded in 1749) and Brill (founded in 1683), De Gruyter Brill is a family-owned, independent publisher committed to curating indispensable research that breaks boundaries, builds new bonds, and shapes a better future.