Research
Mixed
GLP-1 obesity trials are geographically concentrated in high-income countries (84.2% of sites), contrasting with the global prevalence of obesity which is highest in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Most GLP-1 trials were conducted in high-income countries, yet most people with obesity live in low- and middle-income countries. This geographic gap means that treatment guidelines and availability may not reflect the needs of the majority of the global population.
GoodQualifiesHIGH confidence
The trial sites (n=1859) were predominately located in high-income countries (84.2%), in sharp contrast to the global prevalence of obesity that is predominantly in low-income and middle-income countries.
Why this rating
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 27 RCTs.
Source
Representation of racialised and ethnically diverse populations in multicentre randomised controlled trials of GLP-1 medicines for obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of gaps
Yaanu Jeyakumar et al. · BMJ Global Health · 2024
DOI 10.1136/bmjgh-2024-017177
Meta-analysis · 27 studiesCited 12×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
Related findings · Mixed
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