February 4, 2026 — In a concerning development, weight-loss medications are reportedly triggering new eating disorders among some users, while exacerbating existing conditions in others. This revelation comes as GLP-1 drugs become more widely available in Australia, prompting calls for stricter prescribing guidelines and comprehensive patient support.
Kacey Martin, a 33-year-old who began using weight-loss medication last June under medical supervision, initially found relief. “It reduced the food noise,” Martin explained, referencing her past struggles with bulimia and binge eating. “I wasn’t so preoccupied in my head with food, which gave my brain space for all of the other things that happen in life.”
However, Martin soon noticed a resurgence of troubling behaviors, such as purging and obsessive weight-checking. “That psychological preoccupation with my weight has come back for me and gotten worse,” she admitted.
Expert Concerns Over Atypical Anorexia
Dr. Terri-Lynne South of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has expressed concern over the emergence of atypical anorexia in patients using these medications. Atypical anorexia involves individuals with a history of larger body sizes becoming fixated on weight and engaging in excessive dieting and exercising.
“We need to be very mindful of whether we are setting people up to have an unhealthy relationship with food,” said Dr. South, an expert in obesity management. She emphasized the potential for these medications to inadvertently cause disordered eating or exacerbate existing eating disorders.
“We need to watch this space – that we’re not taking someone from a binge-eating disorder to atypical anorexia,” Dr. South warned.
She advocates for face-to-face consultations prior to prescribing these medications and improved access to dietitians, psychologists, and exercise physiologists.
Regulatory Actions and Telehealth Concerns
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) has already taken action against healthcare providers who have inappropriately prescribed these medications. In some cases, the misuse of GLP-1 drugs, particularly via telehealth, has led to emergency hospitalizations for anorexia patients.
“We have seen examples of patients admitted to hospital due to inappropriate prescribing of weight-loss medication when a thorough consultation would have identified that the prescribing [was] risky for that patient,” an AHPRA spokesperson stated.
AHPRA mandates comprehensive patient assessments to evaluate vulnerabilities such as disordered eating or body image issues before prescribing weight-loss drugs.
Calls for Comprehensive Support Systems
Kacey Martin, who is also pursuing a PhD at the University of NSW on eating disorders among Maori people in Australia, highlighted the need for accessible mental health support. “People often jump between eating disorders,” she noted. “We shouldn’t just assume there’s no risk for restrictive eating problems in people with binge-eating or bulimia.”
Josephine Money, a spokesperson for Dietitians Australia, echoed these sentiments, stating that GLP-1 medications could complicate adequate nutrition for many. “A starved brain has increased thoughts about food, increased anxiety, fear and drive for control; this can be the basis of typical anorexia cognitions,” she explained.
Money, who operates a multidisciplinary clinic specializing in eating disorders, acknowledged the potential benefits of GLP-1 drugs for binge-eating disorder when paired with comprehensive support from dietitians and mental health professionals. This approach aims to mitigate risks of malnutrition and restrictive eating disorders.
Money estimates that about 40 percent of her clients are either taking GLP-1s, considering them, or curious.
As the debate over the safety and efficacy of weight-loss drugs continues, experts emphasize the importance of careful monitoring and holistic support to prevent unintended consequences.
For confidential and free support for eating disorders, individuals can contact the Butterfly National Helpline at 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673) or visit www.butterfly.org.au for online chat or email assistance.
