A new study finds that young men who take prescription weight loss drugs may be at higher risk for disordered eating behaviors, including bingeing, purging and feeling a loss of control while eating.
Published July 9 in the journal Eating Behaviors, the study looked at survey data from 1,543 males aged 15 to 35 in the U.S. and Canada. Although only 1.2% of participants said they had used prescription weight loss medication in the past year, those who did reported significantly more symptoms linked to eating disorders compared to those who had not used the medications.
“These findings are especially timely given the increasing accessibility and media attention surrounding GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy,” said lead author Kyle T. Ganson, assistant professor at the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work. “While these medications are typically prescribed for diabetes or obesity, their off-label use for weight loss has become popular. Our findings underscore potential psychological implications for young men.”
The medications studied, which include Ozempic and Wegovy, mimic a gut hormone called GLP-1 and are primarily prescribed for type 2 diabetes and obesity. However, they are increasingly being used off-label for weight loss, and most media coverage has focused on women or older adults. This study shifts attention to a less-discussed group.
“Boys and men are frequently left out of the conversation about eating disorders and body image pressures, but this study makes clear that they are not immune to the risks,” Ganson said.
Researchers found that men who used the medications tended to be older and have higher body mass index (BMI), which may reflect added pressure to lose weight or meet certain body ideals. The authors said this highlights a need for better screening and education around mental health, especially when prescribing GLP-1 medications to teens and young adults.
The authors called on health professionals and policymakers to raise awareness of the potential risks and to ensure that people who are prescribed these medications are monitored not only for physical side effects, but also for changes in behavior and emotional well-being.
No outside funding was used to support this study.