Eating disorders are on the rise, and experts worry GLP-1 drugs could worsen the crisis

A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry indicates a 71% global increase in the incidence of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa between 1990 and 2023. Researchers estimated that these two conditions affected approximately 18.1 million people by 2023 and cost the world about 3.83 million years of healthy life in DALY metrics. Experts note that these figures account for less than half of all eating disorders, suggesting the true global impact is significantly higher.

Contributing Factors and Emerging Concerns

• Social Media Impact: Clinical psychologists point to environmental exposures, online comparisons, and algorithmic amplification of toxic content as major triggers.
• Pandemic Isolation: Data from 2021 highlights that hospitalizations for eating disorders in the US doubled between 2018 and 2020.
• GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs: Clinicians report seeing patients misusing or obtaining GLP-1 medications online, raising concerns about accelerated weight loss and worsening symptoms in vulnerable individuals.

Practical Implications and Verification

Medical professionals and researchers recommend implementing stricter clinical safeguards, such as routine eating disorder screenings prior to prescribing GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, enhanced patient education, and closer monitoring. Readers can verify the original research in JAMA Psychiatry or consult support organizations like the National Eating Disorders Association for guidance.