Weight-Loss Medications Like Ozempic from An Eating Disorders Perspective

Home For Balance
1 minute ago
6 min read

In recent years, semaglutides under the brand of Mounjaro, Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy have garnered significant attention as potential weight-loss solutions. Originally developed to manage type 2 diabetes, these drugs are increasingly being prescribed off-label for individuals seeking to lose weight. While Ozempic can offer substantial benefits for those who need it, its growing popularity raises critical concerns—particularly when viewed through the lens of eating disorders.

The Role of Ozempic and Similar Medications

Ozempic is part of a class of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. These drugs work by mimicking a hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar levels. By slowing gastric emptying and reducing hunger signals, Ozempic and other GLP 1s can lead to significant weight loss in some individuals.

For those with type 2 diabetes or weight-related health risks, medications like Ozempic can play a pivotal role in improving metabolic health, reducing cardiovascular risks, and enhancing overall quality of life. However, their use extends far beyond these populations, sparking ethical and psychological debates.

The Benefits of Ozempic

From a medical standpoint, Ozempic and similar drugs can have transformative effects:

1. Medical Necessity: For individuals with type 2 diabetes, Ozempic helps regulate blood sugar levels and reduces the risk of complications such as neuropathy and cardiovascular disease.

2. Weight Loss for Health Reasons: For patients with certain health conditions, achieving weight loss through medications like Ozempic can alleviate joint pain, improve mobility, and lower blood pressure. It can also help them get ready for important surgeries and procedures that otherwise can be difficult or lengthy to achieve.

3. Convenience: Unlike traditional weight-loss interventions that require extensive lifestyle changes, Ozempic offers a pharmacological approach that is relatively straightforward to administer.

The Risks and Ethical Concerns

While the benefits can be notable depending on the person and their situation, the risks associated with these medications, particularly for individuals prone to disordered eating and eating disorders, cannot be ignored:

1. Reinforcement of Disordered Behaviors: For those with a history of restrictive eating, medications that suppress appetite can exacerbate unhealthy patterns, potentially leading to the development of an eating disorder or making recovery more difficult if they have a history of an eating disorder.

2. Societal Pressure and Diet Culture: The rising popularity of Ozempic for weight loss underscores a broader societal obsession with thinness. This can perpetuate harmful beauty standards and stigmatize diverse body types.

3. Side Effects: Common side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal discomfort, can interfere with an individual’s relationship with food, potentially reinforcing aversions or fear-based eating behaviors.

4. Ethical Dilemmas in Prescribing: The off-label use of Ozempic for aesthetic reasons raises questions about the ethical responsibilities of healthcare providers. Prescribing weight-loss medications without considering psychological implications risks normalizing extreme thinness as a goal.

The View from an Eating Disorders Therapist

As therapists specializing in eating disorders, we approach the use of medications like Ozempic with caution. Here are some critical considerations:

1. Screening for Eating Disorders: It is vital for healthcare providers to screen patients for a history of eating disorders before prescribing appetite-suppressing medications. Without this step, individuals recovering from conditions like anorexia or bulimia may inadvertently find their symptoms re-triggered since the use of GLP-1 medications can exacerbate restrictive patterns, reinforce harmful beliefs about weight and food, and increase the risk of medical complications such as malnutrition, electrolyte imbalances, and gastrointestinal distress. From a psychological perspective, reliance on these medications can deepen cycles of shame, avoidance, and disconnection from one’s body cues—further complicating the therapeutic process of recovery.

2. Shifting the Focus from Weight: Medications like Ozempic often reinforce the harmful narrative that weight loss equates to health. This can overshadow the importance of holistic well-being, including mental health and a balanced relationship with food.

3. Encouraging Body Neutrality and Acceptance: As clinicians, we must advocate for approaches that prioritize body neutrality, emphasizing overall health rather than adherence to societal ideals of thinness.

The View from an Eating Disorder Registered Dietitian

The use of these medications needs to be evaluated and monitored in collaboration with professionals who specialize in the treatment of eating disorders. Semaglutides could be attractive medications for patients who struggle with these mental disorders, causing a negative effect, especially when weight loss is contraindicated.

For example, for some patients that have binge eating disorder, what message are they getting when they are prescribed to use weight loss meds? Is weight stigma and fatphobia being promoted? Is the use of these medications aligned with patients' recovery processes?

There’s a significant difference in how Ozempic and similar medications are used—and that difference often lies in the intention behind their use.

Some individuals may take these medications with the goal of eating as little as possible, or to try and stop binge eating through forced restriction. This approach can lead to a false sense of control and can reinforce eating disorder patterns, not addressing the core concern.

As therapists and health professionals, we must hold space for these nuances and avoid making assumptions. The "why" behind the use matters just as much—if not more—than the "what". Conducting thorough assessments and being sensitive to their unique physical, psychological, and social needs is the key component to effectively working with these clients while also protecting their well-being.

A Call for Responsible Use

As eating disorder therapists, we are deeply concerned about the widespread availability and promotion of GLP-1 medications, such as semaglutide and related compounds, without adequate medical and psychological oversight. While these medications can provide important benefits in specific clinical circumstances, their easy access at Med spas or through telehealth services, online prescribing, or non-specialized providers poses significant risks.

For individuals with a history of eating disorders, disordered eating behaviors, or body image concerns, the use of GLP-1 medications can exacerbate restrictive patterns, reinforce harmful beliefs about weight and food, and increase the risk of medical complications such as malnutrition, electrolyte imbalances, and gastrointestinal distress. From a psychological perspective, reliance on these medications can deepen cycles of shame, avoidance, and disconnection from one’s body cues—further complicating the process of recovery.

Equally important, as clinicians we must support clients in not becoming dependent on these medications as a primary solution for weight or food-related concerns. Encouraging body neutrality and body acceptance allows individuals to shift the focus away from societal pressures of thinness and toward overall well-being. This perspective promotes a healthier, more sustainable relationship with food, movement, and the body, reducing the risk of long-term psychological and medical harm.

The use of medications like Ozempic requires careful consideration and a balanced perspective. While these drugs can offer life-changing benefits for some, their misuse or overprescription can have far-reaching consequences, particularly for individuals vulnerable to eating disorders. Therefore, it is critical that GLP-1 medications be prescribed only after a thorough assessment of both medical and mental health history, with close collaboration between prescribers and mental health professionals. Without thoughtful regulation and safeguards, the ease of access to these medications has the potential to create more harm than healing.

To ensure these medications are used responsibly:

Healthcare providers must prioritize thorough assessments, considering both physical and psychological histories.
Public health messaging should shift away from glorifying rapid weight loss and instead promote diverse definitions of health and well-being.
Therapists and dietitians should collaborate with prescribing physicians to support patients holistically.

Weight-loss medications like Ozempic are not inherently good or bad; their impact depends on the context of their use. As a society, we must critically examine how these tools fit into broader conversations about health, diet culture, and body image. By prioritizing education, ethical prescribing practices, and regulation, as well as support for individuals at risk, we can navigate this complex issue responsibly and compassionately.

At Home For Balance, we are committed to guiding individuals toward full recovery from eating disorders through a compassionate and collaborative team approach. Our multidisciplinary team of certified eating disorders professionals brings expertise not only in eating disorder recovery but also in addressing co-occurring challenges such as anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, and substance use. By integrating personalized treatment plans with a holistic focus on mind, body, and emotional well-being, we create a supportive environment that fosters lasting change. Whether you are taking the first steps toward recovery or seeking ongoing support, our mission is to provide the care, tools, and encouragement you need to reclaim balance and build a healthier, more fulfilling life.

To learn more about our services or to schedule your FREE 30-minute consultation, contact us at info@homeforbalance.com or call 561.600.1424 today.

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