Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness reveals they're using weight-loss medication to help with their eating disorder
Warning: This article contains discussion of eating disorders which some readers may find distressing.
Jonathan Van Ness has admitted to using weight loss medication as they opened up about having 'a long relationship with compulsive behavior'.
The Queer Eye star, 37, opened up about their use of weight loss medication in a recent Instagram video, telling fans they wanted to 'confess' something to them.
In the clip, Jonathan said: "Alright, I have a confession to make. Yes, I am on a GLP-1 or a weight-loss medication.
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"If you have been following me for a long time, you’ll know that I gained and lost weight several times very publicly.
"And this time in my life, I knew that I needed a little bit of extra help."
They have previously opened up about struggling with a binge eating disorder, and hoped that the medication - the type of which they didn't disclose - would help bring it under control.
The star added: "With everything I’ve been through publicly and privately in the last couple years, I gained quite a bit of weight, wasn’t feeling good.
"The most important thing was, my binge-eating disorder was out of control."
GLP-1 explained
The GLP-1 hormone, which we produce naturally anyway, slows down how quickly the stomach empties itself, and increases how full you feel.
Some examples of GLP-1 agonists are Ozempic, Saxenda, Wegovy and Mounjaro which work to reduce your appetite so that you won’t feel hungry and therefore won’t eat as much food.
Jonathan has spoken really highly of their experiences on weight loss medication.
They explained: "I, for the first time in my life, have had control over my food intake.
"It has helped me so massively, and that’s part of why I wanna be honest with you about it because I know how important asking for help is, and how much asking for help can change your life in terms of healing. This time, I needed help."
The American hairstylist shared that they had struggled with 'compulsive eating', which left them feeling 'not good, depressed and out of control'.
Since starting the medication in September, the star actually noted they felt 'immediately better'.
They are also set to have Dr. Terry Simpson, a surgeon and culinary medicine expert, on their podcast in the next few weeks.
Curious to know more, Jonathan added: "I got so many questions, so we will be revisiting this.
"I’m excited to continue learning alongside you curious people!"
Between 1.25 and 3.4 million people in the UK are affected by an eating disorder, and they can develop in children as young as six years old.
If you've been affected by any of the issues in this article and would like to speak with someone in confidence, call the BEAT Eating Disorders helpline on 0808 801 0677. Helplines are open 3pm-8pm Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can try the one-to-one webchat.
Mia Williams