THE explosion in use of weight loss jabs could add to an epidemic of eating disorders, a leading expert has warned.
Author and counsellor Lynn Crilly – who specialises in supporting people fighting conditions like bulimia and anorexia – spoke out as it emerged Vitality has become the first health insurer in the UK to offer customers discounted weight loss treatments for up to a year through its health cover.
Her warning also comes as Katie Price revealed how she was putting her son Harvey on the jabs to save his life.
Outlining her concerns, Lynn said: “The easy availability of weight loss drugs, which should only be used under medical supervision, is a dangerous temptation for people suffering from, or in recovery from, eating disorders.”
Lynn, whose own daughter has struggled with an eating disorder and OCD, spoke out ahead of Eating Disorders Awareness Week which starts on Monday 24th February.
“Weight loss injections which contain drugs such as semaglutide, more often known by their brand names like Ozempic and Wegovy, have become an increasingly popular treatment for rapid weight loss,” she said.
“These injections were originally designed for people with type 2 diabetes but during clinical trials it was noted that they had a significant impact on weight loss.
“Used in the right way and properly prescribed, these injections do have their place.
“But in today’s society where people want results now, these injections have become an increasingly popular quick fix.
“People are drawn to them because they guarantee an almost immediate solution to losing weight, with little or no real effort, especially when compared with traditional methods such as exercise and change of diet.
“Worryingly, they are easily accessible online, so anyone can purchase them as long as they know what they need to put into online consultation forms.
“When combined with someone that is already vulnerable to disordered eating this easy availability is a dangerous temptation.
“These weight loss jabs are considered harmful to anyone living with an active eating disorder or in recovery. And despite online consultation forms requesting that patients provide details of medical conditions such as an eating disorder, this is easy to navigate.”
Lynn believes the rules around online prescribing need to be tightened up to stop people with eating disorders from accessing the drugs which could worsen their condition.
“Eating disorder clinics have reported patients who are in recovery from an eating disorder and using GLP-1s relapsing.
“This is possibly because the results from taking these kinds of medication mirror the impacts of an eating disorder and could normalise unhealthy behaviour patterns around food.
“I worry that people who have, or have suffered, from an eating disorder will use this medication as a form of control which will hinder any chance of a long-term recovery.
“While a rapid weight loss is achieved in the short term, the underlying mental issues are still very present.
“It is paramount that people with eating disorders and indeed anyone using these medications is given the right psychological support.
“The reality is that anyone suffering from an eating disorder needs to get help from a healthcare professional or mental health specialist.”
“Self-medicating with powerful drugs might deliver quick results, but it will only prolong the underlying issue.”
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