From MIT Technology Review · · 3m
Weight-loss drugs may worsen eating disorders
GLP-1s are fueling a surge in eating disorders as cases rise 71% globally and clinicians report severe misuse among vulnerable patients.
In brief
GLP-1s are fueling a surge in eating disorders as cases rise 71% globally and clinicians report severe misuse among vulnerable patients. Eating disorders rose 71% between 1990 and 2023, affecting 18.1 million people, and clinicians warn GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are triggering and worsening cases. Originally reported by…
Eating disorders surge globally
Between 1990 and 2023, anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa incidence rose 71%. By 2023, an estimated 18.1 million people lived with one of these two disorders.
The true toll is much higher
Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa represent less than half of all eating disorders.Cheri Levinson, a clinical psychologist at the University of Louisville in Kentucky, says the true impact is probably three times the rate reported.
Clinicians see worsening cases
Levinson, who has specialized in eating disorders for almost 20 years, says she is now seeing more patients with more severe symptoms than at any other time in her career.
“This is the worst I've seen things”
Social media fuels the crisis
Cynthia Bulik, a clinical psychologist at the University of North Carolina, says social media comparisons, influencers, challenges and diet trends are precipitating events for eating disorders.
Algorithms amplify disorder content
Researchers at the University of Melbourne found that TikTok algorithms delivered 4343% more toxic eating disorder videos to users with eating disorders than to those without.
Pandemic accelerated the trend
Research conducted in 2021 found that the number of people hospitalized with eating disorders in the US doubled between 2018 and 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Younger children now affected
Levinson reports seeing earlier ages of onset. She is seeing eight and nine year olds with eating disorders, and predicts eating disorder numbers could at least double again.
“We're seeing eight- and nine-year-olds with eating disorders.”
GLP-1 drugs surge in popularity
A Gallup survey conducted earlier this year suggested that 15% of Americans had used a GLP-1 weight-loss drug. Drug companies are developing new formulations that are easier to take and more effective.
High misuse among patients
In a small study published earlier this year, Levinson and colleagues found that 30% of people with eating disorders had used GLP-1 drugs. About 10% appeared to have misused them.
Children buying drugs online
Levinson reports seeing children develop eating disorders after being prescribed GLP-1s for medical reasons. Others, as young as 11, have bought versions of these drugs over TikTok.
Clinicians fear rapid deterioration
Cynthia Bulik warns that GLP-1s will lead to faster and more extreme weight loss in people with anorexia nervosa, causing patients to arrive at treatment in more advanced stages of illness.
“We're very concerned that GLPs will lead to even faster and more extreme weight loss in people with anorexia nervosa”
New screening guidelines issued
Bulik contributed to research and clinical guidelines published earlier this month recommending doctors screen for eating disorders before prescribing GLP-1s and monitor patients more closely.
The essence
Eating disorders rose 71% between 1990 and 2023, affecting 18.1 million people, and clinicians warn GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are triggering and worsening cases.
