01/07/2026 04:40 - Salud
The explosive growth of the weight-loss pharmaceutical market has created a "rapidly evolving risk environment" for people living with eating disorders, according to researchers at the University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA. The study was published on June 24, 2026 in the journal JAMA Psychiatry.
Data reveals that approximately 32% of participants with eating disorders reported having ever used a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, while 22% indicated current use. Medications included in the study were semaglutide, tirzepatide, dulaglutide, liraglutide, and exenatide.
GLP-1 receptor agonists are medications originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, but have gained massive popularity for their significant weight loss side effect. They work by mimicking a natural hormone that regulates appetite, slowing gastric emptying, and sending satiety signals to the brain.
These drugs have become a global phenomenon under brand names such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Saxenda. However, their increasing availability has raised concerns about inappropriate use, particularly among vulnerable populations.
The research recruited 436 people in 2025 with eating disorders. The sample consisted of 94.2% women, with an average age of 34 years.
| Disorder | Reported GLP-1 Use |
|---|---|
| Binge Eating Disorder | Over 50% |
| Atypical Anorexia Nervosa | Approximately 42% |
| Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake | Nearly 30% |
| Bulimia Nervosa | Over 25% |
| Anorexia Nervosa | Approximately 11% |
Additionally, approximately 35% of participants in remission reported using these drugs. An alarming finding: nearly 10% of participants obtained these medications through online providers that prescribe compounded formulations, which can be purchased more easily.
The study also documented cases of drug misuse, defined as taking more than the prescribed dose, increasing dosage without prescription, using it longer than indicated, or sharing it with others. Approximately 10% of participants reported such practices.
Nicholas Peiper, Ph.D., a psychiatric epidemiologist at the University of Louisville and lead study author, noted that the results likely represent conservative estimates because they rely on self-reported data.
Cheri Levinson, Ph.D., psychologist and director of the Eating Anxiety Treatment Laboratory at the University of Louisville, warned that no established protocols exist to evaluate whether a patient requesting these medications has an eating disorder.
"The question primary care physicians should ask themselves is: Why does the person want to use the GLP-1 receptor agonist?" Levinson stated. "If they're using it to restrict, lose weight, or try to suppress appetite—which are inherent effects of the drug—then that's very problematic... because that's precisely what causes relapse and maintains an eating disorder."
Dr. Kim Dennis, a Chicago-based psychiatrist specializing in eating disorders, explained that people with binge eating disorder or atypical anorexia may present with significant obesity and medical comorbidities, leading well-intentioned primary care physicians to overlook the underlying disorder and prescribe these medications.
Eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge eating disorder, affect approximately 9% of the global population. Among those with a history of these disorders, relapse is common and occurs in approximately one-third of cases.
Atypical anorexia nervosa presents all characteristics of anorexia nervosa except that the patient is not underweight. Binge eating disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food intake without the compensatory behaviors typical of bulimia.
Researchers suggest physicians can use assessment tools like the five-item Screen for Disordered Eating questionnaire or the SCOFF when a patient requests pharmacological weight-loss treatment.
Dr. Dennis indicated that with adequate protective measures, including weekly follow-up and collaboration with a nutritionist or mental health professional, experimental regimens of these drugs could potentially be prescribed to patients with eating disorders.
The study was funded by a grant from the University of Louisville Joint Pilot Project Program.
Source: Peiper NC, Zibbell JE, LaJoie AS, Wahlang B, et al. Use and Misuse of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Among People With Eating Disorders. JAMA Psychiatry. June 24, 2026. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2026.1716.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
