Hormonal
Anti-obesity medications (AOMs) such as GLP-1 receptor agonists do not render lifestyle-based treatments obsolete; rather, they act synergistically by addressing physiological barriers to weight loss, allowing behavioral interventions to focus on optimizing body composition and long-term health maintenance.
Do not stop your lifestyle efforts when starting medication. Use the medication to manage hunger and physiological resistance, then redirect that energy into building fitness, muscle mass, and healthy eating habits. The medication handles the biology; you handle the lifestyle optimization for long-term health.
In this Perspective, the authors contend that medical approaches impact physiologic pathways to support the success of behavioral approaches. Similarly, behavioral approaches can improve weight loss-adjacent outcomes that are not addressed by medication. Thus, the two approaches are complementary and must coexist if we are to make a significant, population-level impact on the obesity epidemic.
Why this rating
Based on a perspective article citing multiple RCTs (SURMOUNT, STEP 1, STEP 3) and clinical guidelines, though it is not a primary trial itself.
Source
Game changers: do new medications make lifestyle‐based treatment of obesity obsolete?
Kristina H. Lewis et al. · Obesity · 2023
DOI 10.1002/oby.23962
Related findings · Hormonal
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