Social media, peptides, and performance enhancement
A growing trend advertised on social media for children and adolescents is raising concerns among parents and physicians alike: peptides. Marketed as quick fixes for everything from weight loss to muscle growth and faster recovery, these substances can appear to be a one-stop solution, but the reality is far more complex.
“Years ago, there were still pressures to be stronger, leaner or more athletic, but those messages weren’t as constant,” says Dr. Matthew Kornswiet, a Rady Children’s Health Orange County pediatrician and pediatric sports medicine specialist. “Now, kids on social media are exposed to fitness content, supplement marketing and idealized physiques around the clock.”
Some peptide-based medications are FDA approved for specific medical conditions, such as insulin for diabetes and certain GLP-1 medications for diabetes or chronic weight management. These products undergo clinical testing, regulated manufacturing, and ongoing safety monitoring. With unapproved products purchased online or promoted across social media, however, no one can be certain whether or not what they are receiving is what was advertised.
“Many of the unapproved peptides purchased online are from sources that are not well regulated, so we can’t always be certain what is in them,” Dr. Kornswiet notes. “There have been documented cases involving supplements and unapproved health products that contained substances other than what was listed on the label.”
There is limited evidence supporting claims that these unapproved peptides provide benefits for young people. Furthermore, some peptides act on growth hormone pathways, says Dr. Kornswiet, raising concerns about their long-term effects on developing bodies.
The pressure to perform
So why are we seeing a surge in curiosity around peptides? While there’s no single clear cause, several factors may be driving this interest, particularly among adolescent boys and young men.
Research has increasingly recognized body image concerns, including muscle dysmorphia, among adolescent boys and young men.1 For some young people, pressure to be bigger, leaner, stronger or faster can develop into an unhealthy preoccupation and contribute to behaviors such as restrictive eating, overtraining or unsafe supplement use. Dr. Kornswiet adds that this pressure is often coupled with the growing specialization of youth sports. Year-round sports participation and limited recovery time can add to the feeling that young athletes must constantly improve or perform at their peak.
“The challenge is finding the balance between [encouraging] healthy habits and recognizing when those habits have become unhealthy,” says Dr. Kornswiet. “When a patient repeatedly seeks validation for risky behavior or becomes consumed by physique-related goals, it raises a red flag.”
Approaching body image and muscle dysmorphia in young males
Few things are harder for a parent to hear than their child expressing unhappiness with their own appearance. Constant exposure to idealized images and seemingly instant results on social media can create insecurity and unrealistic expectations for adolescents.
According to Dr. Kornswiet, there are several warning signs that fitness or body-image concerns may be becoming unhealthy:
- Becoming distressed about missing workouts or continuing to train despite injury, illness or exhaustion
- Obsessively tracking calories, macronutrients, weight or body measurements
- Constantly seeking new supplements or products
- Developing frequent overuse injuries or stress fractures
- Escalating from basic nutrition supplements to peptides or other performance-enhancing products
- Becoming secretive about products being taken or purchased online
Approaching your child with these concerns may feel daunting, but it’s important to lead the initial conversation with sensitivity and reassurance.
Parents can begin by asking what their child is seeing online, what goals they are trying to achieve and whether they are using any supplements, medications, or injectable products. Approaching the conversation with curiosity rather than judgment may make adolescents more willing to answer honestly.
“Many teenagers feel that they are alone with their concerns,” says Dr. Kornswiet. “I emphasize that everybody develops differently and that genetics and physical maturity play a major role. I try to redirect the conversation toward performance rather than appearance.”
How to encourage healthy habits and fitness
Helping your child build a healthy relationship with fitness, food and their body doesn’t have to be complicated.
“The fundamentals matter,” says Dr. Kornswiet. “Eating enough calories, getting adequate protein, sleeping well and exercising consistently – and safely – are the most effective strategies.”
Young athletes can become stronger, faster, and more coordinated without developing dramatic visible muscle growth. Early strength gains are often driven by improvements in technique and neuromuscular control, meaning the nervous system and muscles become better coordinated and more efficient.
“A young athlete may jump higher, sprint faster, lift more and move better before looking noticeably bigger,” says Dr. Kornswiet. “That is normal and does not mean the training is failing.”
Patience is key
Above all, patience is key.
“Many young athletes compare themselves to older athletes, college players, or professionals without recognizing that physical maturity takes time.” says Dr. Kornswiet.
“Development takes time, and the benefits of training are still happening even if dramatic physical changes aren’t visible. Improved strength, speed, movement and confidence are often much more meaningful than a number on the scale or how big their muscles look.”
If you suspect your child is struggling with their body image or an eating disorder, there are resources available. Learn more about early detection and intervention strategies.
References and additional articles:
- Nagata, J. M., Hur, J. O., Murakami, K., Ganson, K. T., He, J., Murray, S. B., & Lavender, J. M. (2026). Muscle dysmorphia in adolescents and young adults. The Lancet. Child & adolescent health, 10(2), 122–134. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(25)00283-4
- Stricker, P. R., Faigenbaum, A. D., & McCambridge, T. M. (2020). Resistance training for children and adolescents. Pediatrics, 145(6), e20201011. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2020-1011
- Mayfield, C. K., Bolia, I. K., Feingold, C. L., et al. (2026). Injectable peptide therapy: A primer for orthopaedic and sports medicine physicians. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 54(1), 223–229. https://doi.org/10.1177/03635465251357593
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Avoiding products contaminated with hidden ingredients. Updated June 10, 2025.
- LaBotz, M., & Griesemer, B. A. (2016). Use of performance-enhancing substances. Pediatrics, 138(1), e20161300. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-1300
