Research on weight loss and its health effects. Covers GLP-1 injections, companion digital programs, pregnancy guidelines, and asthma benefits.
The AGA commentary updates the POWER framework to reflect major advances in obesity care, including effective anti-obesity medications and bariatric surgery. Gastroenterologists play a crucial role in obesity management, caring for patients with related conditions.
New research found that GLP-1 RA users showed weaker associations between impulsivity and violent crime, suggesting these medications may lessen risk factors. The study analyzed data from a US survey of adults who used GLP-1 medications.
A new study found that patients taking weight-loss drug tirzepatide experienced significantly more weight loss than those on semaglutide, with nearly twice as many high responders. Additionally, tirzepatide showed fewer gastrointestinal side effects and more significant weight loss in women and white patients.
The American College of Physicians recommends semaglutide and tirzepatide as first-line treatments for nonpregnant adults with obesity, while recommending lifestyle modifications including improved nutrition and physical activity. The guideline also emphasizes discussing benefits, harms, costs, and contraindications with patients.
A recent study found that women and individuals with minimal motivation to lose weight experienced greater weight loss on tirzepatide. The research also identified baseline clinical, demographic, and behavioral variables associated with weight loss trajectories over 12 months.
A study found that tirzepatide significantly increases brown adipose tissue activity and volume in premenopausal women with obesity. The medication also shows potential signs of converting white subcutaneous fat into more metabolically active 'beige' fat.
The NOVO EXPENDITURE trial investigates the effects of a hormone-based treatment on weight loss compared to a reduced-calorie diet. Participants will undergo extensive physiological testing, including metabolic chamber sessions and regular weigh-ins, to assess the treatment's impact on energy use and body weight.
A study found that nearly 4 in 10 patients stopped GLP-1 medication within the first year and nearly two-thirds restarted therapy within two years. The researchers also identified sociodemographic, clinical, and provider-level predictors of discontinuation, including Medicaid or Medicare status, Black patients, and side effects.
A study presented at ENDO 2026 found semaglutide was associated with a 15% reduction in bone fractures and greater weight loss compared to other anti-obesity medications. The results suggest that semaglutide may have beneficial effects on bone health in people with type 2 diabetes.
A study found that adults taking GLP-1 receptor agonist medications experienced significant decreases in daily step counts and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to promote exercise alongside obesity treatment.
A reduction in visceral fat is associated with better cardiometabolic health and lower future type 2 diabetes risk, even when body weight is fully regained. Visceral fat loss achieves a significant protective effect against systemic aging and metabolic decay long after a diet ends.
A new study published in Menopause journal found that replacing animal protein with plant-based sources like soybeans, beans, and grains leads to significant weight loss in postmenopausal women. The study's lead author suggests that the quality of protein, not just quantity, plays a key role in weight regulation and metabolic health.
A study of over 229,000 obese adults without diabetes found that weight loss drugs, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, were associated with a 41% decrease in the overall risk of developing obesity-related cancers. GLP-1 RAs also showed larger reductions in certain subgroups, including men and gynaecologic cancers.
Mazdutide, a GLP-1 receptor dual agonist, provides clinically meaningful weight reduction in Chinese adults with obesity. However, gastrointestinal adverse reactions are more common among those taking the drug compared to placebo.
Adults with both obesity and an autoimmune disease who took a GLP-1-based medication had fewer emergency department visits and lower mortality rates compared to those not taking the medication. The study analyzed data from over 26,000 adults treated in the OneFlorida+ network between 2014 and 2024.
Researchers found that a compound already in clinical trials for age-related muscle loss may mitigate the negative effects of GLP-1 on muscle health. In young adult mice treated with semaglutide, PGDHi enhanced muscle regeneration and recovery after injury, restoring strength without undermining fat loss.
Weight loss after bariatric surgery is associated with better ability to cope with daily household tasks such as cleaning and grocery shopping. The study also found that maintaining weight loss for long periods results in improved functionality and independence. Patients who regained lost weight experienced poorer outcomes over time.
Researchers at NIH have discovered key intracellular signaling processes involved in the weight-loss effects of semaglutide, a GLP-1 drug. The findings may help extend treatment duration and reduce plateaus experienced by patients.
A low-calorie diet and behavioral support program significantly reduced weight in older patients with overweight and persistent atrial fibrillation at 8 months. The study found no safety concerns or impact on atrial fibrillation symptoms, cardiac remodeling, or need for further rhythm control interventions.
A comparative study found that endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is associated with significantly greater short-term weight loss than oral semaglutide. Patients undergoing ESG achieved a mean total body weight loss of 12.7%, compared to 8.7% in those receiving semaglutide.
A new study published at the European Congress on Obesity found that participants who underwent rapid weight loss lost significantly more weight than those who followed a gradual weight loss plan. After one year, the rapid weight loss group had achieved clinically meaningful weight loss and maintained it better than the gradual weight ...
A study found a significant decrease in metabolic bariatric surgery utilization between 2022 and 2024, with a 34.1% drop, while glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) use increased by 140.4% during the same period. This trend may continue due to growing prescribing of GLP-1s.
A systematic review found that obesity surgeries resulted in a higher proportion of fat-free mass loss compared to diet and exercise interventions. Incretin-based obesity drugs also led to greater fat-free mass loss than traditional weight loss methods.
A new study suggests that GLP-1 receptor agonists and GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists can lead to substantial fat loss while preserving skeletal muscle mass in relative terms. The study found that muscle mass remained stable over time when accounting for changes in fat mass.
Research by Dr. Hanim Diktas at Pennington Biomedical Research Center shows that combining GLP-1 receptor agonists with behavioral intervention leads to a greater reduction in 'food noise', a persistent thought about food disrupting daily life and healthy behaviors. The study found significant decreases in food noise for participants u...
Patients on tirzepatide at maximum dose have seven times higher odds of maintaining weight loss compared to those who stop treatment. Those on the lower 5mg dose have four times higher odds, according to a new study published in The Lancet.
New research finds that participants in the ATTAIN-MAINTAIN trial maintained a significant percentage of weight loss when switched from injectable tirzepatide or semaglutide to daily oral orforglipron treatment. The study shows that nearly all weight loss achieved on injectable therapies can be maintained by switching to oral therapies.
Researchers have identified potential mechanisms linked to reduced type 2 diabetes risk in chronic cannabis users. A team led by Nicholas V. DiPatrizio found that specific compounds within cannabis regulate metabolism, leading to significant weight loss and improved glucose regulation in obese mice.
A retrospective cohort study examining over 840,000 breast cancer patients found a potential link between GLP-1 RA use and improved outcomes among obese or diabetic patients. GLP-1 RAs were associated with lower risk of death and recurrence over a 10-year follow-up period.
A pooled analysis of trials reveals semaglutide's safety and efficacy in individuals aged 65 years and older with obesity. The study found significant reductions in body weight and improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors, with a lower proportion of adverse events compared to placebo.
A new post-hoc analysis examined daily oral orforglipron treatment for obesity, with or without diabetes, in users aged 65 years and over. The study found that orforglipron significantly reduced body weight and improved blood sugar markers compared to placebo, with a similar safety profile to the overall ATTAIN clinical trial population.
A new study found that patients who lost more weight with GLP-1 treatment had a lower risk of developing obesity-related conditions. In contrast, those who gained weight or only lost a small amount saw increased risks for osteoarthritis, chronic kidney disease, and heart failure.
A large real-world study comparing bariatric surgery to GLP-1 drugs found that surgery produced significantly greater weight loss and higher rates of obesity-related disease remission. After 12 months, patients who underwent surgery achieved more than 20% greater weight loss than those treated with GLP-1 therapy.
Regular physical activity is essential for mitigating the regain of lost weight after discontinuing GLP-1 medications. Exercise has complementary effects beyond energy balance, including improved insulin sensitivity and increased fat oxidation. Clinicians must develop individualized strategies to improve exercise adherence.
A new study from Rice University finds that using GLP-1 medications can lead to social judgment, even among those who have lost significant weight. Participants rated individuals who used GLP-1 more negatively than those who lost weight through diet and exercise or did not lose weight at all.
A new randomized clinical trial shows that a low-fat vegan diet reduces greenhouse gas emissions by nearly three times more than a Mediterranean diet. The study also found significant improvements in key cardiometabolic outcomes, with the majority of environmental gains driven by eliminating meat, dairy, and eggs.
Researchers have discovered a new weight-loss mechanism that eliminates the need for GLP-1, reducing gastrointestinal side effects and increasing treatment tolerability. This breakthrough offers hope for patients who struggle with adverse reactions to existing obesity medications.
A new study found comprehensive evidence that weight-loss GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide reduce amyloid-beta and tau buildup in the brain. Consistent reductions were seen in animal and cell studies, with liraglutide showing the most positive effects.
A new procedure, duodenal mucosal resurfacing, has shown promising results in preventing weight regain after GLP-1 therapy discontinuation. The study found that patients who underwent the procedure maintained over 80% of their weight loss and regained less weight compared to those who received a sham procedure.
A new study has found that postmenopausal white women with higher genetic risk of obesity regained weight about two times faster than those with lower genetic risk. Despite this difference, Black women in the study regained weight at a similar rate, regardless of their genetic risk.
A new study from Aarhus University reveals that weight-loss drugs containing GLP-1 hormone may influence joint inflammation in arthritis patients. The study found that high doses of GLP-1 in medication could have a dual effect, both through weight loss and by increasing levels in the joints.
A lower semaglutide price could generate savings that offset the cost of treating an additional 550,000 to 3.6 million Medicare beneficiaries eligible for expanded obesity-indication coverage. This voluntary price agreement may lead to substantial savings for Medicare spending on semaglutide treatment.
A hormone called FGF21 reverses obesity in mice by signaling to the hindbrain, a region targeted by GLP-1 drugs. This finding provides insight into the naturally occurring hormone's benefits for weight loss and MASH treatment.
Researchers found that adults who followed routine eating patterns lost more weight than those with varied diets. Those who repeated many of the same foods lost an average of 5.9% of their body weight, compared to 4.3%. Greater calorie consistency was also linked to better results.
Researchers discovered a metabolite called pTOS in pythons that increases appetite suppression in obese mice, leading to significant weight loss. The study sheds light on the power of studying extremes in the animal kingdom and may lead to new weight-loss treatments.
Researchers discovered an appetite-suppressing compound in python blood that promotes satiety without stomach problems. The compound, para-tyramine-O-sulfate, has potential for new weight loss treatments.
Researchers developed a comprehensive genetic risk calculator for metabolic disease by integrating genetic data from hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. The polygenic risk score outperformed existing disease-prediction models and predicted downstream morbidity and clinical interventions, particularly in non-European populations.
A concerning rise in adolescent obesity has been found, with overall rates climbing to 15.9% in 2023. Obesity patterns also reveal a decline in weight-loss attempts, with females more likely to attempt weight loss but fewer adolescents reporting efforts in 2023.
A $3.4 million NIH grant will fund a semi-automated feedback system to support people tracking diet, exercise, and weight in weight-management programs. The system aims to provide personalized feedback to increase tracking and weight loss success.
Analysis of unintended side effect reports reveals that Wegovy carries the highest risk of 'eye stroke' and sudden sight loss among semaglutide drugs, with odds nearly 5 times higher than Ozempic. The risk is particularly pronounced in men, with a signal nearly 3 times higher than in women.
Semaglutide and tirzepatide prescriptions increased dramatically between 2018 and 2025, while MBS use rates declined substantially starting in 2023. Recent shifts in MBS use may be more pronounced in certain patient subgroups, such as those seeking sleeve gastrectomy or with lower BMIs.
A large US study published in The BMJ found that GLP-1 receptor agonists used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity may also help lower the risk of addiction to various substances. The study associated GLP-1 receptor agonists with reduced risks of adverse outcomes such as overdoses and drug-related emergency department visits and deaths...
Patients who stop taking weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy experience rapid weight regain of up to 60% within a year, but sustain around 25% of lost weight. Researchers found that individuals may maintain healthier eating habits even after treatment ends.
GLP-1 weight-loss drugs may prevent further tissue damage following a heart attack, significantly reducing the risk of further life-threatening complications. Researchers found that these drugs improve blood flow to the heart by activating potassium channels, relaxing constricted blood vessels and reducing heart damage risk.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found GLP-1 RAs produce significant weight loss across various subpopulations, including women who show improved outcomes compared to men. These findings have implications for clinical decision-making.
A new study from the University of East Anglia found that the human brain continues to respond to tempting food cues even after eating enough. The research used EEG brain scans to monitor volunteers' brain activity as they played a reward-based learning game with food.
A new study finds that a novel GLP-1 receptor agonist, Exendin-4-Phe (Ex-Phe-1), preserves glycemic control while reducing malaise and vomiting behaviors in preclinical models. The compound uses biased agonism to selectively activate certain signaling pathways, achieving desired effects without triggering others.
A phase 3 trial found that orforglipron, a novel GLP-1 receptor agonist pill, leads to greater blood sugar control and weight loss than current oral GLP-1 RA semaglutide in people with type 2 diabetes. Participants taking orforglipron had significantly greater reductions in body weight and blood sugar levels.
A new study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev researchers found that repeated attempts at weight loss confer significant and sustainable health benefits over time, particularly through reduced visceral fat. Even when participants regain all the weight lost in a previous diet, their cardiometabolic health may remain improved.
A new study finds salcaprozate sodium may have adverse biological effects on the gut and beyond, including shifts in potentially harmful gut bacteria and elevated inflammatory markers. The research highlights an important gap in understanding the long-term impact of repeated SNAC exposure.