Eating Disorder Screen Results and GLP-1 Awareness, Interest, and Use in a Nationally Representative Sample of Adults...

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s) have experienced exponential growth in prescriptions over the last few years. Pervasive advertising and cultural discussion about these medications have worried body image, weight stigma, and eating disorder researchers. Research is lacking about GLP-1 awareness, interest, access, and use among individuals who have a positive screen on an eating disorder screener.

Leveraging AmeriSpeak's nationally representative panel of U.S. adults, we conducted a cross-sectional study (N = 1309) to examine the associations between screening positive on the Eating Disorder Screen for Primary Care (ESP) and GLP-1 awareness, interest, and use.

Roughly 10% of participants reported past or present GLP-1 medication use. Women were more likely than men to report interest in taking GLP-1 medications for weight loss. Both women and men who screened positive on the ESP were more likely to report awareness of these medications, interest in using GLP-1s for weight loss, and trying to access GLP-1s through telehealth pharmacies without speaking with a doctor. Women who screened positive were also more likely to have considered taking GLP-1s to manage a health condition and to have spoken with their doctor about taking GLP-1s for weight loss. There was no statistically significant difference between individuals who had never taken a GLP-1 and those who had ever taken a GLP-1 on ED screening status.

A positive screen on an eating disorder screener was associated with interest and attempts to access GLP-1s for weight loss, especially for women. Clinicians working with individuals with eating disorders or body image concerns should discuss GLP-1s with clients. Enhanced safeguards for prescribing GLP-1s, particularly through telehealth platforms, are suggested.