An eating disorders expert has warned the country is “waltzing towards a disaster” due to the number of people taking weight loss jabs who do not meet the medical guidelines.

Lynn Crilly, whose daughter’s battle with an eating disorder led her to become a counsellor, said her “heart sank” when she read that participants of Strictly Come Dancing were turning to the jabs.

She has now issued a warning to the government not to use the medication as a “cop out” to combat the country’s obesity epidemic.

“I’ve helped support hundreds of people over the last 20 years with their own battles and I am really concerned about the rising numbers of people now turning to these jabs,” says Lynn.

“Like millions of others, I love watching Strictly Come Dancing on a Saturday night so I am looking forward to seeing it return in a few weeks’ time.

“But my heart sank a little the other day when I read the news that many taking part were reportedly taking weight-loss injections.

“It left me thinking is there anyone, anywhere who isn’t currently on these jabs!? “Forty years ago, when I was in my early 20’s, health clubs and gyms were popping up all over the country.  If you committed to the exercise regime, ate less and slept well then, with time, you would lose weight and build the body you would be happy with.

“Nothing should have changed but so much has. “Fast forward 40 years, and we have found ourselves locked in a fast technology fuelled pressured society, where jabs like Ozempic and Mounjaro are being now presented as a magic bullet and easily purchased on the internet – for those who have the money.

“For some they can be a huge benefit which is why they are being prescribed for patients with Type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes, a condition which can lead to heart attacks, strokes and amputations.

“So for those who urgently need to lose weight on health grounds, they can and do offer a solution. “But these jabs are now becoming more and more mainstream, and using them is now the norm rather than the exception.”

Serious side effects

“Through my work I am in contact with a lot of people using the jabs, and the side- effects some are experiencing are very concerning,” revealed Lynn.

“Many report to me how they often feel sick, as well as actually being sick, or having diarrhoea, stomach cramps and constipation.

“For some it is temporary, but for others I am in contact with they are persistent and can be debilitating.

“One person I recently spoke to at a dinner party told me: “I now plan my work around not going into the office on a Tuesday as that's the day I have my injection. It leaves me feeling totally wiped and nauseous for the following two days.

’I have lost about a stone on it so far but I am now wondering if it is all worth it and should I continue?’

“Her comments were echoed by another at the same event who told me: “Three weeks after starting I began suffering with anxiety, I’ve never had before. ‘I couldn’t keep still, my heart was racing and I felt agitated. I did not take the 4th one – and will not consider it again.’”

Lynn also raised concerns about the long term weight loss effects for those who have turned to the jabs to both lose and keep weight off. “Data has shown that people who don’t change their eating and exercise habits pile the weight back on when they come off the jabs,” she said.

“This is a growing concern now that the price of Mounjaro has increased considerably, with many now finding it unaffordable. “People have told me that because they relied on the drugs to inhibit their appetite, rather than changing their behaviours and eating a healthier, balanced diet, the weight is now creeping back now their appetite has returned.

“One busy mum told me that after spending hundreds of pounds to lose weight through the injections she is now feeling depressed at the scales creeping back up. “Having personally and professionally been around eating disorders for the last 20 years, I am very concerned there is not enough research into the effect this medication can and will have on those who may already be struggling with an eating disorder, poor body image and low self-esteem.

“I fear there is a risk the jabs could add to the torment many will be feeling.  “I also worry the jabs will ultimately be used as a cop-out by governments to avoid making hard policy choices which will actually prevent obesity. “Like learning to dance, losing weight can and does take time and is hard work.

“Whether you are appearing on Strictly or just Joe Bloggs, the quick -fix of a jab might seem like an appealing option but, in the long term, I fear we are waltzing into disaster.”