Eating Disorders and GLP-1 RAs

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Year

2025

Glucagon-like peptide-1receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), such as semaglutide (Ozempic), are medications
originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes. GLP-1 RAs are now being used as an approved or off-label treatment for weight loss and have been trialled as a treatment for some eating disorders such as binge eating disorder (BED).

There is limited research available to help researchers, clinicians and patients/consumers to understand 
the relationships between GLP-1 RAs and eating disorders. However, it is thought that GLP-1 RAs may 
negatively impact eating disorder symptomology and treatment in a number of ways.

This factsheet provides information about GLP-1 RAs as well as their possible interaction with eating disorders including physical and psychological impacts. Practice points are provided for clinicians.

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See also

Eating Disorders: The Way Forward – An Australian National Framework 

Eating Disorders: The Way Forward - An Australian National Framework seeks to address the pervasive and grievous cruelty of a serious mental illness within our community, that of eating disorders.

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NEDC and Beyond Blue - Eating disorders, anxiety and depression

A person with an eating disorder will often be diagnosed with another mental health problem.

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Workforce Core Competencies: A competency framework for eating disorders in Australia .

Workforce core competencies for the safe and effective identification of and response to eating disorders.

Read more

Insights in recovery - An overview of the research project informing the Insights in Recovery Guide

The Insights in Recovery project explored recovery oriented healthcare practices that are meaningful for people with all eating disorder diagnoses.

Read more