Weight loss drugs could offer ‘promising treatment’ for binge eating disorder
- A comprehensive review suggests that weight loss medications, specifically GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro, could offer a promising treatment for individuals with binge eating disorder.
- The research, led by University College London, analysed data from 25 trials involving over 8,000 participants, revealing moderate reductions in binge eating and related behaviours such as emotional eating.
- Experts caution that the current evidence is limited, with many studies having a high risk of bias, and stress the need for further large-scale, high-quality clinical trials to confirm these findings.
- It is suggested that these medications may prove most effective as part of a broader treatment approach, combining pharmacological and psychological care, rather than as a standalone solution.
- Binge eating disorder affects approximately 17 million people globally, and charity Beat highlights the complexity of GLP-1s and the importance of thorough mental and physical health checks before their use.
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