Billie Jean King reveals she is using weight loss medication to manage her binge eating disorder: Here’s how it works according to experts.

Tennis legend Billie Jean King is opening up about her struggle with binge eating disorder (BED) and her decision to try weight loss medication to address it. In a recent episode of actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s podcast, King revealed that her doctor recommended the medication, and she has already started with a few injections to see how it affects her thoughts about food.

King, who was formally diagnosed with BED at age 51, has been candid about her battle with the disorder in her 2021 memoir, All In. She described the loss of control over her eating behavior, the shame and guilt that followed binge episodes, and the constant struggle with obsessive thoughts about food. Despite seeking inpatient treatment in the past, King continues to deal with her eating disorder to this day.

Experts explain that the term “food noise” is often used to describe the intrusive thoughts about food that individuals with BED experience. Weight loss medications like the one King is trying may help suppress these thoughts and provide relief from the constant mental chatter around food choices.

While some experts have found weight loss medications to be effective in treating BED by regulating dopamine levels and reducing appetite, others caution that these medications may not address the underlying emotional and psychosocial factors that contribute to eating disorders. It is recommended that individuals work with a multidisciplinary team to determine the best course of treatment for BED.

As King embarks on this new treatment journey, she hopes to find relief from the exhausting mental battle she faces daily. The tennis icon’s openness about her struggles sheds light on the complexities of eating disorders and the importance of seeking comprehensive care for mental health issues.