A study published in Obesity Science & Practice suggests that structured support, including digital apps or medically tailored meals, may help reduce weight regain after stopping GLP-1 medications.
Key facts
- •Participants in the study had an average weight of 189 pounds and an average BMI of 31.4.
- •The study found that weight regain often accelerates during the first 3–4 months after stopping GLP-1 treatment.
- •The Noom app provides behavioral strategies, including tracking food intake and lessons on psychological factors influencing eating.
- •Medically tailored meals used in the study were nutrient-dense and developed by registered dietitians.
- •Dr. Mir Ali and Dr. Denise Pate were not involved in the study but noted the importance of multifactorial obesity management.
A study published October 7 in Obesity Science & Practice indicates that structured interventions, such as digital weight management apps or medically tailored meals, may help individuals limit weight regain after discontinuing GLP-1 medications like semaglutide or tirzepatide. The research followed 39 adults who had lost over 10% of their body weight and recently stopped treatment, finding that those with additional support regained significantly less weight over four months compared to those receiving only usual care.
By the numbers
Study Methodology and Findings
The study included 39 participants with an average age of 50 and an average BMI of 31.4. All participants had stopped GLP-1 treatment within 30 days prior to the study. Researchers compared three groups: those receiving usual care, those provided with a subscription to the Noom app, and those receiving 10 medically tailored, portion-controlled meals per week. Participants in the app group were encouraged to log food, exercise, and weight daily, while the meal group chose from over 70 options developed by registered dietitians.
Weight Regain Results
After four months, the usual-care group experienced an estimated weight regain of 10.75% of their body weight. In contrast, the Noom app group regained 3.6%, and the medically tailored meals group regained 3.58%. While all groups experienced some weight regain, the findings suggest that structured behavioral or nutritional support can mitigate the trend of rapid weight regain often seen in the first few months after stopping GLP-1 medications.
Expert Perspectives on Chronic Care
Medical experts, including Dr. Mir Ali and Dr. Denise Pate, emphasized that obesity should be treated as a chronic condition requiring long-term management. They noted that GLP-1 medications are tools that work best when combined with healthy lifestyle changes, such as balanced diets rich in protein and vegetables. Experts cautioned that because the study was small and limited to four months, further research is necessary to determine the long-term effectiveness of these support strategies.
Timeline
- Within 30 days prior to the studyParticipants stopped their GLP-1 medication treatment.
- October 7The study was published in the journal Obesity Science & Practice.
- Four monthsThe study duration concluded, at which point weight regain was measured.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Healthline.
