The Eating Disorders Alliance (EDA), an alliance of major eating disorder organisations in Australia and New Zealand, has raised the alarm about the lack of controls in prescribing GLP-1 weight loss medications and the impact this is having on vulnerable people with or at risk of developing eating disorders.
EDA represents an alliance of Australian and New Zealand eating disorder organisations, united to provide information, initiatives, and advocacy for individuals living with an eating disorder, and those at risk of developing an eating disorder, as well as their family members/carers.
A number of stories are emerging about people in Australia being prescribed weight loss medications without any screening for an eating disorder, and in some cases, despite having disclosed an eating disorder, with disastrous results. EDA is again calling for tighter controls, including mandatory comprehensive medical assessments in standard telehealth consultations for those seeking weight loss medications.
EDA is also calling for Government to implement great scrutiny and regulations for those working outside the Medicare Benefits Scheme. People with, or at risk of, an eating disorder make up more than 10% of the population, and recent reports indicate that one in 10 adolescent girls has used medically unapproved weight-loss products.1
While EDA recognises that, for some people, it may be appropriate to reduce body weight, it is critical this is done in a safe and appropriate manner, with proper guidance from healthcare professionals, such as a GP and/or dietitian. It is also essential that anyone requesting weight management products is screened for an eating disorder, no matter their size or body weight.
“Weight-loss medications can be extremely attractive to people with eating disorders as they appear to provide quick results. However, these weight-loss medications can be very dangerous, worsening harmful thoughts and behaviours for those with an eating disorder or contributing to an eating disorder developing for someone who is already vulnerable,” said Butterfly CEO, Jim Hungerford.
“The alarming physical side effects that have been reported by some people using these weight-loss medications are extremely concerning, as they could potentially trigger an eating disorder or worsen symptoms for someone who is already unwell or at risk,” added ANZAED CEO, Jade Gooding.
EDA has raised these concerns directly with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), the Medical Board of Australia, and the Pharmacy Board of Australia, and the Federal Health Minister, Mark Butler MP, as well as directly with Juniper, the parent organisation of Eucalyptus and other medical weight loss services.
There are currently 1.1 million Australians living with an eating disorder with women and girls twice as likely than other genders to be affected. “With these weight loss drugs largely targeting women, the lack of consultation and appropriate regulation around their use and distribution could have disastrous consequences, which we are already starting to see,” said EDQ CEO, Belinda Chelius.
Added Chief Operating Officer, Australian Eating Disorders Research & Translation Centre, Peta Marks, “collective understanding of these medicines in relation to people with eating disorders is limited. There is a need for dedicated research effort to ensure people and their families, as well as researchers and clinicians are well informed about the risks and possible benefits of these medicines to appropriately guide and inform care.”
The EDA comprises Butterfly Foundation, Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA), the Australia and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED), Eating Disorders Queensland (EDQ), and Eating Disorders Victoria (EDV), Eating Disorders Association of New Zealand (EDANZ) and affiliate members the National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC), Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia (EDNA), the Australian Eating Disorders Research and Translation Centre (AEDRTC), InsideOut Institute (IOI) and the Embrace Collective.
-ENDS-
Media Contacts
Katia Pellicciotta, Eating Disorders Victoria Manager Communications & Advocacy
Ph: 0490 660 259
Zoe Bradbury, Butterfly Communications Manager
Ph: 0400 585 855
Belinda Chelius, Eating Disorders Queensland CEO
Ph:0405 906 466
Bailey Wightman, Eating Disorders Families Australia Marketing and Communications Team
Ph: 0435 214 355
Melissa Zea, Australia & New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders
Ph: 0478 142 901
Andrea Bonetto, EDANZ Board Director
Members of the EDA and people with lived experience of an eating disorder are available for interview on request.
Editor and producers note
Please include the following support line details in all media coverage of this story and refer to the Mindframe Media guidelines for safe reporting on eating disorders.
Anyone needing support with eating disorders or body image issues is encouraged to contact:
Eating Disorders Victoria Helpline on 1300 550 23
Butterfly National Helpline on 1800 33 4673 (1800 ED HOPE) or [email protected]
Eating Disorders Association New Zealand 0800 233 269 (0800 2 EDANZ) or [email protected]
For urgent support call Lifeline 13 11 14
References
- Hall et al, 2024. Global Prevalence of Adolescent Use of Nonprescription Weight-Loss Products. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, JAMA Network Open. 2024;7(1):e2350940.