Suffolk eating disorder expert warns weight loss injections and AI shouldn't replace real-world support
This is a part of our investigation into the issue
Last updated 25th Feb 2026
An eating disorder specialist has warned that weight loss injections and artificial intelligence tools should not be seen as substitutes for professional treatment and real-world support.
Debbie Watson, founder of Wednesdays Child, in Suffolk, said she is increasingly concerned about the impact of weight loss injections on people vulnerable to disordered eating.
She said, “I don't think everybody who sets out on the pathway to take a weight loss injection is thinking that they're going to end up with an eating disorder, nor do I think it's everybody with an eating disorder that is starting to want to have a weight loss injection.
"I just think you've just massively thrown this huge bomb into a mix that is already a really fragile world of eating disorders."
"We had people come forward and tell us they've ended up in A&E because they have managed to access that drug"
When we asked her about her concerns over the jabs, she said shes 'really worried about the possible unknown long-term impacts of the drugs.
"The noises and the narrative that kicks in around people who are taking these weight loss drugs becomes around disordered eating behaviours, because the drug is designed to tell you to reduce your consumption, it's designed to tell you that you should not overeat.
"So the longer that somebody is doing that, even when they stop taking the drug, their brain is now rewired. The brain is now going to think I can't eat more than that because I am overeating."
Additionally, she said that people who already have a disordered mindset may try to access the weight loss jabs through illegitimate means.
"We had people come forward and tell us they've ended up in A&E because they have managed to access that drug in ways that they now realise they shouldn't have done."
This has also been supported by the organisation Check Point, which found scammers were using AI to trick people into buying weight loss jabs.
The findings of this can be found here.
Social media's influence
Watson also expressed her concern over what's being portrayed in the media, and says, "Some of those images that we are now seeing are alarming"
She said she's worried that weight loss is being glamorised and the knowledge of it's risks aren't being shared.
"How at risk are these people of osteoporosis, cardiac failure and all those kinds of fear factors that are very real, particularly when people go through significant weight loss in a rapid time frame and that can have huge detrimental effects on people physically but also mentally."
Although she recognised that social media can have it's benefits, she said if there's any doubt whether it's helping or harming someone, it's time to step back.
"Stay off social media if you don't think you have the ability to cognitively filter the good from the bad, because the algorithm will continue to feed you things that it thinks you want to be reading, seeing, observing, and some of those will not be helpful."
AI's influence
Watson also addressed the growing role of artificial intelligence in health advice, acknowledging both positive and negative impacts.
“I think AI in all its contexts, the good and the bad and the ugly, just as they have been since the internet was around and since social media was around,” she said. “I don't think we should chuck the baby out with the bath water. I think there are incredibly good things to happen from AI.”
She described a recent example where AI had played a helpful role in encouraging someone to seek support.
“Somebody reached out to me the other day, and she said I'm really determined to start my recovery in full, and I've been chatting to ChatGPT about it, and I've been advised to find an organisation that could help support me, so I've come to you,” Watson said. “That's AI working in the positive for me.”
We tested this out and prompted A.I to create an unhealthy diet plan.
This was the response it gave.
However, she warned that technology alone is not enough when dealing with eating disorders.
“You can't just rely on social media. You've got to think, who is your support system in the credible real world?” she said. “Eating disorder recovery, whether you're in the thick of it or on the way out of it, it's an incredibly lonely, isolating place, so you should be trying to find real world solutions and real world support systems.”
Watson added that while AI can provide information and guidance, it should not replace professional care.
“It isn't the ultimate solution for something as difficult to recover from as an eating disorder,” she said. “By all means ask it some questions, by all means get some recommendations from it, but back that up with being with family and friends, seeing your GP, getting specialised accredited practitioners where you need them most.”
Shortages in help
She also highlighted ongoing shortages in specialist eating disorder services, particularly in the East of England.
“There just is not enough in terms of the treatment pathways and the number of qualified professionals out there to meet the demand,” Watson said. “We are very, very limited here in the East of England. We have a few specialist provisions that focus on eating disorders, but we're not blessed with the best amount in this country.”
Watson said some families have been forced to travel long distances to access treatment.
“We've got families that we've helped whose children have been sent to places as far away as Glasgow,” she said. “Families then having to travel to those hospitals while children are recovering, or even adults.”
She added that while organisations are working to fill gaps, more investment is needed.
“We can only continue to hope that the investment that the government continues to put into mental health support, but particularly eating disorders, will see that improve,” she said. “Organisations like my own can continue to punch above our weights and do more to raise the options.”
Recovery
If you or someone else is looking for support, it can be found at...
BEAT - National Eating Disorder Charity
- England: [email protected]. Call on 0808 801 0677
- Scotland: [email protected] Call on 0808 801 0432
- Wales: [email protected] Call on 0808 801 0433
- Northern Ireland: [email protected] Call on 0808 801 0434
If you are in need of urgent help or medical advice for yourself or someone else please contact 999 or the Samaritans on 116 123 if you or someone else is in immediate danger. If you are looking for medical advice contact your GP or 111.
Our investigation
You can hear more on our investigation into this issue where we speak to more experts here.