Obesity and eating disorders have traditionally been treated as separate areas of healthcare \u2013 but the rapid rise of GLP-1 medicines is increasingly bringing the two together.<\/p>\n
Adelaide University<\/a> researchers say the growing use of medicines such as Ozempic and Mounjaro is highlighting an under-recognised overlap between the conditions \u2013 and raising important questions about who could benefit and who may be at risk.<\/p>\n Emerging preliminary evidence suggests GLP-1 medicines may reduce binge-eating behaviours in some people, while questions remain about whether their appetite-suppressing effects could potentially pose risks for some people with eating disorders.\u00a0<\/p>\n Professor Gemma Sharp<\/a>, a clinical psychologist and an international expert in eating disorders, body image and weight disorders, said the traditional divide no longer reflects the reality of patient care.<\/p>\n \u201cFor too long we\u2019ve treated obesity and eating disorders as though they\u2019re opposing health conditions, but they actually have more in common than many people realise,\u201d Prof Sharp said.<\/p>\n \u201cOften, when people think of an eating disorder, they picture someone who is very thin. But that\u2019s one of the biggest misconceptions in this field.<\/p>\n \u201cIn fact, most people living with an eating disorder are not underweight, and many go undiagnosed because the focus is often on weight rather than recognising the eating disorder itself.<\/p>\n \u201cAs medicines such as Ozempic and Mounjaro become more widely used, the need to consider obesity and eating disorders together is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.\u201d<\/p>\n The potential overlap is significant. In Australia, about one in three adults live with obesity<\/a>. Around 5% of Australians (around 1.1 million people<\/a>) experience an eating disorder.<\/p>\n While early evidence suggests GLP-1 medicines may help some people, researchers say they are only one part of the solution.<\/p>\n \u201cThe challenge isn\u2019t simply the medicines themselves \u2013 it\u2019s ensuring they’re used as part of evidence-based, multidisciplinary care,\u201d Prof Sharp said.<\/p>\n \u201cEating disorders aren\u2019t one disease, so there won\u2019t be one answer. And while GLP-1 medicines may become an important treatment option for some people, they\u2019re only one piece of the puzzle.<\/p>\n \u201cThe priority now is identifying which patients are most likely to benefit, which patients are at greatest risk of harm, and ensuring appropriate screening<\/a>, monitoring and multidisciplinary care become part of routine prescribing.<\/p>\n \u201cThe future isn’t choosing between treating obesity and treating eating disorders. It\u2019s recognising that many people experience both and building care around the whole person \u2013 not simply the number on the scales.\u201d<\/p>\n Issues like these are discussed by the Consortium for Research in Eating Disorders<\/a> (CoRe-ED).<\/p>\n Established by Professor Sharp, CoRe-ED is a first-of-its-kind international independent charity initiative bringing together the diverse perspectives needed to tackle complex issues in eating disorders<\/a> \u2013 including researchers, clinicians, people with lived experience, advocates, not-for-profit organisations and industry, as well as partners working in related fields such as obesity.<\/p>\n \u201cGLP-1 medicines are a perfect example of why CoRe-ED was established,\u201d Professor Sharp said.<\/p>\n \u201cComplex issues like this require us to bring different voices and disciplines to the same table, rather than approaching obesity and eating disorders in isolation.\u201d<\/p>\n To learn more about CoRe-ED or to join the Consortium for free, visit core-ed.com.au<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026..<\/p>\n Media contacts:<\/strong><\/p>\n Professor Gemma Sharp, <\/strong>School of Psychology, Adelaide University. E:<\/strong> [email\u00a0protected]<\/a> M:<\/strong> +61 421 253 188<\/p>\n