Key Takeaways: Ozempic’s Connection to Eating Disorders
- GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound were originally designed for type 2 diabetes but are now being used for weight loss, raising new mental health concerns.
- Appetite suppression and rapid weight loss caused by these drugs can trigger or worsen eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder.
- Psychological effects, including weight stigma and obsession with body image, can make recovery more difficult for those with a history of disordered eating.
- There is limited research on how GLP-1 medications affect people with eating disorders—making close medical and psychological monitoring essential.
- Comprehensive treatment that addresses both physical and mental health is key to protecting those at risk while supporting sustainable well-being.
Understanding how Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications affect appetite, mood, and body image is the first step toward informed care.
Keep reading to explore how these drugs work, why they may be risky for people with eating disorders, and how SunCloud Health supports safe, sustainable treatment approaches.
Ozempic is an injectable medication primarily used to help adults with type 2 diabetes manage blood sugar, but it’s increasingly being discussed for its connection to eating disorders and mental health. It’s not marketed as a weight-loss drug, but it is part of a group called GLP-1s.
These medications are known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor analogs. Other medications in this class are Zepbound, Wegovy, and Saxenda. They all have FDA approval for managing chronic weight. These GLP-1 medications may have significant risks for people with current or past eating disorders, including those recovering from anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder. They can worsen malnourishment and affect mental health negatively.
Understanding GLP-1 Medications and Ozempic
GLP-1 drugs mimic naturally occurring hormones that regulate blood sugar and appetite. They stimulate insulin release, reduce hunger signals in the brain, and slow digestion, which can lead to decreased food intake – effects that can heighten risk for eating disorders or disordered eating patterns.
Ozempic also helps prevent the liver from releasing stored sugar, making it effective for managing type 2 diabetes. The drug suppresses appetite, which can be concerning. It may pose risks for people with eating disorders or those at risk.
Ozempic’s Connection to Eating Disorders
GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy may help reduce hunger, lower food reward, and boost feelings of fullness, but these same mechanisms may increase eating disorder risk for some patients.
However, they might also trigger or worsen eating disorders in some people. Eating disorder researcher Dr. Cynthia Bulik cautions that this “focus on weight and erasing the desire to eat could indeed do harm.”
If you have a history of eating disorders, it’s important to evaluate carefully before starting these medications. It is also important to monitor at-risk patients for Ozempic misuse and unhealthy weight-loss behaviors, which can mirror or trigger eating disorder relapse.
Physicians should work with dietitians and mental health experts to provide comprehensive care for patients. The team must keep an eye on both physical and mental health while patients take these medications.
Psychological and Physical Impacts of Ozempic
Some people fear that semaglutide weight-loss drugs, including Ozempic and Zepbound, may increase weight stigma and worsen body image concerns. There is a concern that these medications are normalizing and perpetuating the thin ideal.
Physically, malnourishment is a potential side effect of GLP-1 drugs, especially for people with eating disorders or those in recovery from anorexia or bulimia. This can harm someone recovering from an eating disorder. They may have had trouble sticking to a balanced meal plan before. Additionally, rapid and significant weight loss can have negative health impacts, such as:
- Decreases in muscle and bone mass
- Changes in metabolic rate
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Dehydration
It is critical that this information is shared with people who are considering taking these medications. Doctors far too often focus on the benefits of GLP-1 medications when discussing informed consent. They highlight how these drugs can help control diabetes, reduce cardiovascular disease, and lower mortality rates.
Patients should know that we have little data on how these medications affect those with eating disorders. There is a risk that GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy could worsen restrictive eating, obsessive body image issues, and anxiety around food for people with a history of anorexia nervosa, bulimia, or binge eating disorder.
Expert Insights and Concerns Around GLP-1s and Eating Disorders
While still relatively new, reports from doctors and patients around GLP-1s and eating disorders vary widely. Many experts believe that more research is essential. We can’t make strong, evidence-based conclusions about GLP-1s and eating disorders yet.
Dr. Kim Dennis, CEO and Chief Medical Officer at SunCloud Health, states in a NEDA article that “There has been very little research done on the impact of taking GLP-1’s in people with eating disorders…When we review the scientific literature on studies looking at GLP-1 medications in eating disorders, we find precious little at this point (2024). The few studies that have been conducted have shown mixed results.”
Susan McElroy, MD, a researcher on eating disorders at the University of Cincinnati, shares an anecdote that supports this. She states that “some patients have reported GLP-1s triggering anorexia, while others say the drugs have been the only solution to address binge eating disorder.”
These differing experiences highlight the need for more research and data on the subject.
Can Weight Loss Medications be Used Responsibly?
Healthcare providers should take a cautious, personalized approach when prescribing GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, or Zepbound, especially for patients with eating disorder histories. They should assess medical history closely, looking for any previous issues with eating disorders, anxiety, or depression.
Ongoing monitoring and collaboration among medical and mental health providers can help ensure safe and effective treatment when using GLP-1 or semaglutide medications. If a patient has a history or current diagnosis of an eating disorder, more frequent follow-up should be standard (i.e., every 2 weeks instead of quarterly).
Supporting Those with Eating Disorders
Weight-loss drugs like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound) are becoming increasingly popular for weight management, but they can be dangerous for those with eating disorders. It’s important to spot triggers for eating disorders and address weight bias.
We can support our loved ones by:
- Listening to their concerns.
- Practicing weight neutrality and size inclusivity.
- Helping them identify and reject negative body ideals and weight stigma often reinforced by weight-loss drugs like Ozempic.
Here are some helpful tips for supporting a loved one with an eating disorder:
Be Patient: Recovering from an eating disorder can be a challenging journey that may involve setbacks and relapses. Be patient if progress is slow.
Learn More: Educate yourself about eating disorders, including their symptoms and treatment options. This knowledge will help you best support your loved one on their path to wellness.
SunCloud Health provides comprehensive eating disorder treatment, including support for individuals affected by Ozempic misuse or concerns around GLP-1 medications. Our residential, PHP and IOP programs in Chicago, Naperville, and Northbrook help patients restore balanced nutrition and mental wellness.
How SunCloud Health Can Help
Navigating the intersection between Ozempic, GLP-1 medications, and eating disorders can feel confusing and even overwhelming. These drugs can be life-saving for some individuals, but for others—particularly those who struggle with restrictive eating, body image distress, or binge eating—they may create new risks that require careful clinical attention.
At SunCloud Health, our team of psychiatrists, therapists, and dietitians provide integrated treatment for eating disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. We help patients rebuild a balanced relationship with food, body, and health through evidence-based therapies like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and HAES-informed nutrition counseling.
Our full continuum of care includes Residential Treatment, Partial Hospitalization (PHP), and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) programs in Chicago, Naperville, and Northbrook. These levels of care support individuals experiencing Ozempic misuse, appetite suppression, anxiety, depression, or relapse risk related to GLP-1 medications. Treatment includes medical monitoring, nutritional support, and compassionate therapy tailored to each patient’s unique needs.
If you or someone you love is concerned about Ozempic or other weight-loss medications and their impact on mental health, you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Contact SunCloud Health today to speak with a licensed clinician and learn how we can help you or your loved one find safety, balance, and healing.