The unanticipated risks of cure all’ weight-loss drugs

Psychological therapist Jo Silver explains why switching off physical signals without support is an unhealthy way to live

- 

The arrival of weight-loss drugs has been one of the big medical breakthroughs of the decade so far. By the end of last year, approximately 500,000 Britons were already taking injected semaglutide or tirzepatide, popularly known as Ozempic and Mounjaro.

Collectively, our population has lost millions of kilos in excess weight because of these so-called miracle drugs. But at what cost? As a psychologist specialising in the treatment of eating disorders, I predict a dangerous side effect that nobody is discussing: we are facing a tsunami of disordered eating as a result of their inappropriate use.

Weight-loss jabs were designed to help morbidly obese people lose weight, and for these individuals, the risks and side effects are well outweighed by the long-term health benefits. But they are no longer being accessed only by this group.

People who are not morbidly obese, do not have diabetes and have a completely healthy body fat composition are also getting hold of them easily. Although there have been amendments to the assessment process, it is still rather loose. It seems everybody knows someone who is on the jabs. It has been normalised – and it’s everywhere.

We are being bombarded by success stories of women who have reached their dream weight when they were completely healthy to begin with. Online forums are packed with tips about how to “microdose” the drug to achieve the perfect physical form. It’s so simple to access that psychologists like me can no longer be certain whether the clients we treat for eating disorders are using the drug – making the work we do much harder.