Ozempic
GLP-1 Agonists (Ozempic), and Eating Disorders: Beyond Weight Loss
GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic (semaglutide), Mounjaro, Wegovy, etc, have gained huge attention in recent years for their role in blood sugar regulation and weight management. Originally developed for type 2 diabetes, these medications are now widely prescribed for weight loss treatment.
But what happens when Ozempic intersects with eating disorders? This is where things get complicated, and why a weight–loss–only mindset can be harmful.
The Double-Edged Sword: Benefits vs. Harms
Potential Benefits:
Metabolic health: GLP-1 agonists improve blood sugar control and reduce cardiovascular risks in people with type 2 diabetes (Wilding et al., 2021, NEJM).
Appetite regulation: Many patients report reduced food preoccupation and binge-eating tendencies (Kalra, 2022, Diabetes Therapy).
Liver health: Evidence suggests GLP-1 agonists may improve fatty liver disease, which often co-occurs with disordered eating (Armstrong et al., 2020, Lancet).
Potential Harms:
Triggering restriction: For individuals with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia, binge eating disorder, ARFID, or any restrictive patterns such as orthorexia, appetite suppression can worsen malnutrition and lead to serious medical consequences.
Reinforcing diet culture: Marketing and casual prescribing framed around “weight loss” can exacerbate body image concerns.
Misuse risks: Some people with eating disorders may seek out Ozempic as a tool for unhealthy or unnecessary weight control.
Psychological impact: The strong focus on “weight loss” can undermine recovery efforts where the priority should be health, not size.
(Linardon & Messer, 2023, J Eat Disord review highlights how weight-loss medications may complicate eating disorder recovery.)
Why Weight Loss Shouldn’t Be the Goal
In the context of eating disorders, weight loss as a treatment endpoint can do more harm than good. Recovery requires restoring trust in food, healing body image, and building long-term coping tools, not chasing numbers on a scale.
GLP-1 agonists might still have a role for some individuals with co-existing conditions (like diabetes or fatty liver), but the clinical focus must shift from “weight” to “wellbeing.”
The Role of Multidisciplinary Care
Deciding whether these medications are right for you can therefore be a crucial and complex decision. Navigating these medications safely means no single provider should work in isolation. Best practice involves a multidisciplinary team, including:
A GP and/or endocrinologist: to assess medical safety and manage underlying conditions.
Dietitian: to support adequate nutrition despite appetite changes.
Psychologist: to address body image, food anxiety, and relapse risk.
All of these professionals should have an understanding of Eating disorders to ensure care aligns with recovery goals.
Research consistently shows that integrated care improves outcomes in eating disorders (Treasure et al., 2020, Lancet Psychiatry). When considering GLP-1 agonists in this population, team-based oversight is essential.
Key Takeaway
GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic are powerful tools, but they come with risks if used in people with eating disorders. The harm vs. benefit balance depends on context, and weight loss should never be the primary goal in eating disorder treatment.
Instead, the focus must remain on:
Physical health
Mental wellbeing
Sustainable recovery
When GLP-1 medications are considered, they should always be prescribed and patients should be suppported within a multidisciplinary framework to protect recovery and promote whole-person health.
