Longer treatment duration, using semaglutide, higher percentage body fat, and nondiabetic status may be associated with better weight reduction
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter
TUESDAY, July 15, 2025 (HealthDay News) — For adults with overweight or obesity, certain factors might influence weight loss after taking glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), according to a study published online July 9 in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
Jingxuan Wang, M.D., from Peking University People’s Hospital in Beijing, and colleagues conducted a retrospective cohort study to characterize weight fluctuation and influencing factors after GLP-1 RA treatment. The analysis included 679 adult patients with overweight or obesity initiating GLP-1 RA treatment between November 2022 and October 2024.
The researchers found that patients with a longer duration of GLP-1 RA treatment (odds ratio [OR], 1.014) and higher Homeostasis Model Assessment of β-Cell Function levels (OR, 4.912) were more likely to achieve successful weight reduction at 12-month follow-up. At six months of follow-up, nondiabetic status (OR, 2.176) and using semaglutide (OR, 2.138) were associated with successful weight reduction. In both male and female participants, a higher percentage body fat was associated with successful weight reduction (ORs, 3.990 and 2.266, respectively). Those with weight regain had a higher baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate at the three-month follow-up, especially for participants with prediabetes. There were J-shaped associations for basal metabolic rate, skeletal muscle mass, and abdominal and limb muscle mass with the probability of successful weight reduction within six months. There was a positive nonlinear association for serum creatinine with the probability of successful weight reduction within 12 months.
“These findings may provide novel insights into the weight fluctuations after GLP-1 RA treatment in the real-world setting, thereby advancing the development of individualized strategies with GLP-1 RA therapy for patients with overweight or obesity,” coauthor Linong Ji, M.D., also from Peking University People’s Hospital, said in a statement.
One author disclosed ties to industry.
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