Long-term weight loss is attainable with anti-obesity drugs and lifestyle adjustments: Study

A recent study revealed that persons who were overweight or obese sustained an average weight loss of 10.6 percent over 3 to 5 years by implementing lifestyle modifications in conjunction with anti-obesity drugs.

A 10% weight loss gives considerable health advantages, according to researchers who will discuss their findings on Sunday, June 12 at ENDO 2022, the Endocrine Society’s annual conference in Atlanta, Ga. “Data on the efficacy of anti-obesity drugs for long-term weight reduction maintenance in the real world have been restricted to one to two years,” stated lead researcher Michael A.

Weintraub, M.D., of New York’s Weill Cornell Medicine. “Our study is unusual in that we examined weight loss maintenance in over 400 persons with overweight and obesity who were using weight-reduction drugs over a period of 3-5 years.”

The study looked at data from 428 participants at an academic weight-loss centre. During their office appointments, the obesity medicine expert counselled all patients on a low-glycemic diet and exercise. Patients were also given the option of extra counselling with a qualified nutritionist.

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Weight loss drugs

FDA-approved and off-label weight-loss drugs were used in medical therapy. Metformin, phentermine, and topiramate were the most often utilised drugs. Patients were taking an average of two drugs for weight control at the time of the final appointment. Patients were followed for an average of 4.7 years.

They lost and maintained an average weight loss of 10.6% with medical therapy and lifestyle modifications over 3 to 5 years.

“A 10% weight reduction is clinically important since it is connected with improvements in cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and obstructive sleep apnea, as well as mobility and general quality of life,” he explained.

Obesity rates in the United States are reaching 40%, according to Weintraub. “Anti-obesity drugs are an underappreciated therapy option for obesity and help prevent obesity-related disorders such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease,” he explained. “This study supports the use of anti-obesity drugs for long-term weight reduction maintenance.”

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