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Last Updated:
June 10th, 2025
In the age of fast fixes and social media-fuelled body ideals, weight-loss injections like Ozempic and Wegovy have surged in popularity. Initially developed to treat type 2 diabetes, these GLP-1 receptor agonists are not being hailed as game-changers in the fight against obesity. But while headlines celebrate dramatic transformations, more nuances and concerning conversations are emerging: Are weight-loss jabs contributing to the rise of eating disorders?
What are weight-loss jabs?
Weight-loss jabs or injections are prescription medications designed to help individuals lose weight by regulating appetite and slowing digestion. These jabs typically contact active ingredients that mimic hormones naturally produced by the body, such as GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), which signals to the brain that you are full, reduces cravings, and helps control blood sugar levels.
The most commonly known weight-loss injections include:
While they can be effective tools for managing weight, these jabs aren’t standalone solutions. They’re intended to be used alongside lifestyle changes such as a healthier diet and increased physical activity. They are not suitable for everyone and must be prescribed and monitored by a healthcare professional, as side effects can include nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort, and more serious complications in rare cases.
It is also worth noting that demand, supply issues, and off-label uses (particularly with Ozempic) have sparked ethical and medical concerns. Therefore, responsible use under medical supervision is crucial.
The growing popularity and pressure
In recent years, weight-loss injections have surged in popularity, not just among individuals seeking to manage obesity for health reasons but also within celebrity culture and on social media platforms. Medications like Ozempic and Wegovy have become household names, often touted as miracle solutions for shedding pounds quickly and effortlessly.
But with popularity comes pressure.
For many, particularly those already struggling with body image or eating disorders, the visibility and glamorisation of these jabs can create a toxic undercurrent of comparison. The unspoken message is loud and clear: if you’re not using a jab to lose weight, you’re falling behind.
This pressure is intensified by influencers and public figures who share dramatic “before and after” photos without disclosing the full story, including side effects, long-term health risks, or whether they meet the medical criteria for such treatment. As a result, some individuals are now seeking out weight-loss jabs purely for cosmetic reasons, often without proper medical oversight.
Clinicians are raising concerns, too. They warn that this trend can lead to inappropriate use, shortages for patients with genuine medical needs, and an erosion of the more holistic message: that long-term health comes from sustainable lifestyle change, not short-terms fixes.
At its core, the growing buzz around weight-loss jabs reflects a wider societal tension between body acceptance and body transformation, between medical need and aesthetic desire.
Can weight-loss injections trigger or worsen eating disorders?
The quick and oversimplified answer would be yes. This is a serious concern that often goes unspoken in the wider conversation about weight-loss jabs.
While medications like Ozempic can be effective for medically supervised weight management or related health issues, they also pose psychological risks, particularly for individuals with a history of disordered eating or those vulnerable to body image issues. The very mechanism that makes these jabs effective in suppressing appetite can be highly triggering, especially in a culture where “eating less” is still too often equated with success or self-control.
For someone with an existing eating disorder like anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder, these injections can exacerbate obsessive behaviours around food, calorie restriction, and weight monitoring. Even in those without a formal diagnosis, the rapid weight loss and hunger-suppressing effects can lead to a disordered relationship with eating, where meals become something to avoid, fear or control.
Recovery from an eating disorder requires rebuilding a healthy relationship with food—often by learning to trust hunger cues and not fear fullness. These weight-loss jabs interfere with that process by design.
The key concern for those in recovery is that these drugs may reawaken old compulsions, undoing months or even years of hard-won progress and potentially triggering a relapse.
Worryingly, some individuals are now seeking out these medications specifically to fuel eating disorder behaviours, viewing them as tools to accelerate extreme weight loss, very often without medical supervision. Clinicians stress the importance of thorough screening and monitoring before prescribing these weight-loss jabs, however most of them are accessible online, with only a lie on a check box allowing them access to these drugs.
Ultimately, whilst seemingly harmless, they are still powerful drugs that alter your physical appetite and psychological perception of hunger and food. The obsession or morphed view of your own body (body dysmorphia) leads to a dangerous cycle of restriction, control, and body dissatisfaction, alarmingly similar to symptoms of eating disorders.
Are certain groups more at risk?
Yes, certain groups are significantly more vulnerable to developing eating disorders or disordered behaviours when using weight-loss medications.
People with a personal or family history of the following are particularly at risk:
- Body image issues: Individuals who struggle with body dissatisfaction may be more likely to misuse weight-loss medications as a form of body control rather than for legitimate medical needs. These medications can quickly become a gateway to restrictive eating patterns and obsessive behaviour.
- Disordered eating: For those with a history of disordered eating (such as bingeing, purging, or chronic dieting), weight-loss medications can intensify harmful cycles and mask underlying issues rather than resolve them.
- Compulsive behaviours: People with addictive or compulsive tendencies may be more prone to overuse these medications or become psychologically dependent on them for perceived control over weight and appearance.
- Anxiety and depression: Mental health struggles can distort one’s relationship with food and body image. Weight-loss medications may be misused as a coping mechanism or a perceived “quick fix,” exacerbating emotional instability and increasing the risk of spiralling into eating disorder territory.
Young people, especially teenage girls and women in their early twenties, are another high-risk group. This is a formative time when identity, self-worth, and social belonging are closely tied to physical appearance. The societal emphasis on thinness, particularly on social media, amplifies these pressures and can fuel a dangerous attraction to weight-loss solutions.
Compounding these risks is the increasing availability of weight-loss medications through unofficial or loosely regulated channels. Although these drugs are medically approved for individuals with a BMI over 30 (or over 27 if additional health conditions are present), off-label prescriptions are becoming alarmingly common, especially via online clinics. Many of these services offer minimal mental health screening, if any. As a result, individuals with unresolved emotional issues or undiagnosed eating disorders may gain access to powerful appetite suppressants without the necessary psychological support or monitoring.
This lack of oversight leaves vulnerable individuals exposed to both physical complications and serious psychological harm. It also muddies the public perception of who these medications are actually for, leading to broader misuse and normalisation among those for whom they were never intended.
When weight loss becomes a warning sign
If you or someone you care about is using weight-loss injections, it’s important to stay vigilant for warning signs that use may be shifting from medically appropriate to psychologically harmful. What begins as a tool for managing weight can, in vulnerable individuals, become a catalyst for disordered eating behaviours, often subtle at first but progressively more damaging.
Here are key red flags that may indicate things are veering into eating disorder territory:
If you’re seeing any combination of these signs, it’s time to step back and evaluate the situation carefully. These behaviours are not simply “being careful” or “taking weight loss seriously”; they are warning lights on the dashboard of mental and physical health. Seeking advice from a GP, therapist, or registered dietitian with eating disorder expertise can provide crucial guidance and support before things spiral further.
So, what’s the verdict?
The danger isn’t the jab itself but rather how and why it’s used and by whom.
It would be disingenuous to say these medications aren’t helping people. For many, especially those struggling with obesity-related illnesses, semaglutide can offer a lifeline. But, like many tools, context is everything.
Used under proper supervision, weight-loss jabs can enhance quality of life. Used recklessly or in a culture obsessed with thinness, they risk becoming a real problem in today’s society.
Do you need support?
At UKAT, we understand that food, body image, and mental health are deeply intertwined and that the pressure to look a certain way can sometimes spiral into something much more serious.
If you’re worried that weight-loss medication is triggering unhealthy patterns, or you’re finding it hard to maintain balance with food, our specialised eating disorder treatment can help. Whether you’re just starting to notice the signs or you’re in recovery and feeling vulnerable, we offer compassionate, expert-led support in a safe, judgement-free environment.
Our clinics, including Banbury Lodge, provide tailored inpatient care for individuals aged 16 and over, with therapy programmes designed to restore physical health and rebuild your relationship with food.
Call us today for confidential advice; a new beginning could be just one conversation away.
