Mounjaro was recently rolled out on the NHS, but under strict criteria
A mum who admitted that she has illegally put her 13-year-old child on Mounjaro weight loss jabs has spoken out on why she doesn’t regret her decision.
With a BMI of 30.3, Emma’s* teenage daughter Hayley does not meet the strict requirements for Mounjaro on the NHS, despite being among the 15% of children in the UK between the ages of two and fifteen who are obese.
Recently, the NHS authorized the weight reduction shots for a phased rollout for those with a BMI of 40 or higher and for people with a BMI of 35 or higher who also have a weight-related medical condition, such cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes.
Mounjaro helps people lose weight by imitating the body’s GLP-1 and GIP hormones, which control blood sugar levels and appetite. This reduces cravings and sensations of hunger.
Eli Lilly, the company that makes Mounjaro, states on its website that the drug is intended for adults and cautions that it is “not known if Mounjaro is safe and effective for use in children.”
“We have made every effort to reduce Hayley’s weight. Emma, 43, told Metro that she is unhappy with her size in comparison to her pals and that diets don’t work, even if she exercises.
Despite the GP recommending diet and exercise for Hayley, Emma says it ‘hasn’t been that helpful at all.’
So, the mum turned to Mounjaro.
As Hayley doesn’t qualify for a prescription of the medication, the teaching assistant has been buying the jabs for her daughter online by lying about who they’re for on the form.
“It’s a last resort, yes, but it’s working and she’s already lost almost a stone,” she admitted.
Emma hasn’t told the rest of the family that Hayley has been using the jabs, but she believes she’s doing the right thing by her daughter, who is now ‘growing in confidence’ as a result of her weight loss.
“Hayley was so low about her weight for years. She’d cry and get upset that she couldn’t buy or wear the same clothes as her friends because of her weight.
“That’s changing now. I’m losing the sullen, quiet, sad teenager and she’s growing in confidence, that’s the only measure I need that I’m doing the right thing.”
Hayley also opened up about using the jabs, telling Metro that she had asked her mum to look into it for her.
“It was my idea, and I asked Mum if we could look into it. I was a bit worried about being injected, and I couldn’t do it myself, but I love the fact I’m losing weight.
“My friends have all noticed and are complimenting me on it, which feels really nice,” she said.
However, experts have a very different view.
Psychologist Dr Carolyne Keenan warned: “Children are still developing physically and emotionally, and any medication must be used with great caution.
“Identity formation during childhood and adolescence is deeply tied to body image and self-worth. Introducing weight loss injections could inadvertently reinforce harmful beliefs about food and body image, leading to long-term issues with self-esteem and disordered eating patterns.”
According to Carolyne, following the path of illegally obtained Mounjaro may be “well-intentioned,” but it could have detrimental long-term ramifications.
“We’ve seen the negative consequences of well-intentioned but poorly managed approaches in the past. In the 1990s and early 2000s, the US trend of sending children to “fat camps” aimed to tackle weight concerns through intensive diet and exercise regimes was popular,” she said. “However, many of those children reported long-lasting shame, body dissatisfaction, and unhealthy relationships with food as a result.”
As of January 2025, over 500,000 people in the UK were using Wegovy or Mounjaro to aid in weight loss, according to Simple Online Pharmacy. Approximately 95% of people buy their medications privately, online, which can cost up to £150 per month.
Mounjaro’s manufacturer, Eli Lilly, told Tyla: “In the UK, Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is only authorised for the treatment of adults. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) should only be used when prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional and prescriptions should be fulfilled and supplied by regulated pharmacies and providers.”
