Obesity consequences can extend beyond physical health to include body image dissatisfaction and reduced self-esteem. Social media use, a dominant source of health information, may be particularly relevant in the uptake of weight-loss products, yet evidence from the Lebanese context remains limited. We examined how social media exposure and body image perception relate to the use of weight-loss products among 332 Lebanese adults who completed an online questionnaire between June and August 2025. Participants were predominantly females (73.8%), with a mean age of 30.46±10.00 years and an average BMI of 25.3±4.92; most had a university degree (85.8%). Half of the participants reported using social media for over three hours daily, with 16.0% indicating consistent influence and 34.3% occasional influence from online content. Overall, 30.4% reported taking weight-loss medications, most commonly Ozempic (16.0%), Keto Gold (14.0%), Mounjaro (13.0%), and Orlistat (12.0%). Use was significantly higher among divorced individuals (p=0.034), those with lower educational attainment (p=0.026), business owners (p<0.001), non-healthcare workers (p<0.001), and those with chronic diseases (p=0.010) compared to others. Although 96.7% expressed some level of body appreciation, nearly half (47.3%) reported self-esteem independent of weight or shape. Our findings suggest that social media and sociodemographic factors play a substantial role in shaping weight-loss medication use. Public health strategies in Lebanon should prioritize digital health literacy, targeted interventions for vulnerable groups, and the promotion of safe, evidence-based weight management practices.

Rim Chamseddine is a Doctor of Pharmacy who earned both her Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy and her PharmD from the Lebanese University. She has extensive experience in community pharmacy and a strong research interest in pharmacognosy and botanical studies. In her fifth year, she completed a thesis on endophytic fungi as a source of bioactive compounds. Her interests also extend to nutrition and obesity management, and she is currently conducting a study on the impact of social media on the use of weight-loss products. Passionate about research since her first year at the Faculty of Pharmacy, she continues to actively explore innovative topics in pharmaceutical sciences and public health.