GLP-1 Levels Are Elevated in Anorexia Nervosa and Correlate with Perfectionism | Research

The takeaway

Non-weight-restored anorexia nervosa patients had significantly elevated fasting GLP-1 and GIP levels, and GLP-1 correlated strongly with perfectionism independent of BMI.

r = 0.768
GLP-1 levels showed a remarkably strong correlation with perfectionism in the entire study group, independent of BMI

What the researchers found

Non-weight-restored AN patients had elevated fasting GLP-1 (29 vs 16 pg/mL, p=0.048) and GIP (37 vs 5 pmol/L, p=0.048). GLP-1 strongly correlated with perfectionism (r=0.768, p=0.001) independent of BMI.

Why it matters

If elevated GLP-1 perpetuates anorexia symptoms by maintaining early satiety, this opens a new understanding of AN biology and raises caution about GLP-1 drug use in eating disorder populations.

How the study worked

Cross-sectional pilot study of 17 women (10 AN, 7 controls) with fasting blood sampling for incretins and self-assessment psychiatric scales (EDI-3, EDE-Q, STAI, MADRS-S, OCI-R).

What this study cannot tell us

Very small sample size (17 total). Pilot study. Cross-sectional design—cannot determine causality. GLP-1 levels may be affected by nutritional status.

How to read the evidence

Small pilot study (Level III evidence). Novel finding but needs replication in larger cohorts before conclusions can be drawn.

When this study was published

Published in 2025.

The bigger picture

This connects the GLP-1 system to eating disorder psychiatry, suggesting these metabolic peptides influence not just hunger but personality traits associated with AN. It also raises important safety questions about GLP-1 drug use in eating disorder populations.

Questions still open

Could GLP-1 receptor antagonists help restore appetite in AN patients?
Should GLP-1 drug prescribers screen for eating disorder history?
Does the GLP-1-perfectionism link reflect a brain mechanism or a metabolic consequence of AN?

Common questions

Could GLP-1 be involved in anorexia?

This pilot study suggests yes — anorexia patients had elevated GLP-1 levels that correlated with perfectionism, a core AN trait. Elevated GLP-1 may contribute to the early satiety and reduced appetite that perpetuate the disorder.

Should people with eating disorders avoid GLP-1 drugs?

This finding raises concern. If AN patients already have elevated GLP-1, adding GLP-1 drugs could worsen symptoms. Clinicians should carefully screen for eating disorder history before prescribing these medications for weight loss.

Read the original research

GLP-1 is associated with perfectionism in Swedish women with anorexia nervosa, independent of BMI.

Eating and weight disorders : EWD

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Elm, Sofia; Petersson, Suzanne; Carlsson, Martin; Brudin, Lars; Marteinsdottir, Ina; Wanby, Pär. (2026). GLP-1 is associated with perfectionism in Swedish women with anorexia nervosa, independent of BMI.. Eating and weight disorders : EWD. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-026-01831-x