Global eating disorder rates rose 71% from 1990 to 2023, a new report finds, as GLP-1 weight-loss drugs raise concerns

Summary

A new report suggests the global incidence of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa rose by 71% between 1990 and 2023. GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, described as one of the biggest biotech breakthroughs of the last decade, are raising concerns among some clinical psychologists and clinicians, who see them as a potential trigger for eating disorders.

Timeline

1. MIT Technology Review

   30 Oct 2026, 09:00 UTCSource ↗

   MIT Technology Review reports that a new report suggests the global incidence of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa shot up by 71% between 1990 and 2023, and that some clinical psychologists see GLP-1 weight-loss drugs as a potential trigger for eating disorders.

2. MIT Technology Review

   30 Oct 2026, 11:30 UTCSource ↗

   MIT Technology Review's daily newsletter, The Download, highlights the same story, reporting that GLP-1 weight-loss drugs could make eating disorders worse, according to some clinicians.