Disordered eating behaviours in males linked to prescription weight-loss medications

A University of Toronto study of 1,543 males aged 15 to 35 in Canada and the US has found that those who had used prescription weight-loss medications in the past year were significantly more likely to report disordered eating behaviours and attitudes, including binge eating, purging, and loss of control while eating.

Although only 1.2% of participants reported using prescription weight-loss medication in the past 12 months, users exhibited significantly higher levels of eating disorder psychopathology compared to non-users. The study also found that the boys and men who reported they had used the medication were generally older and had higher body mass index (BMI), suggesting that they might face unique pressures or vulnerabilities related to body image and weight control.

"These findings are especially timely given the increasing accessibility and media attention surrounding GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy," explained lead author, Dr Kyle T Ganson, assistant professor at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto. "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 study highlights a critical and often overlooked intersection between weight-loss medication use and disordered eating in males. With public discourse and pharmaceutical marketing increasingly targeting broader populations, including men, there is a pressing need for research, clinical screening and education to prevent unintended harms.

"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," added Ganson.

As prescription weight-loss medications continue to reshape the landscape of body image and health behaviours, the study's authors call for increased awareness among health care providers and policymakers to ensure safe use, especially among adolescents and young adults.

“Health and mental health care professionals should be cognisant of the associations found in this study to ensure proper eating disorder assessment and intervention are provided to individuals, including boys and men, who use prescription weight loss medication,” the paper concluded.

The findings were reported it the paper, ‘Prescription weight loss medication use and eating disorder psychopathology among adolescent boys and young men from Canada and the United States’, published in Eating Behaviors. To access this paper, please click here