The Impact of Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Receptor Agonists on Body Composition in Individuals with Overweight and Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Design
- Meta-analysis · 171 participants · Intermediate outcome
- Match to healthy normal-weight adults aged 55–75
- Different population[Auto] Synthesis of studies conducted predominantly in people with obesity/overweight.
- Could weight loss explain it?
- Unknown[Auto] Harm signal; weight-loss mediation not the relevant question, but consider whether harms relate to rapid weight loss or reduced intake.
- Study tier
- Study tier 2[Auto] Systematic review/meta-analysis of randomized trials (auto-provisional; heterogeneity and included-study quality not assessed).
- Assessment
- Version 1 · automatic, not yet reviewed by a person · Sep 20, 2026
Study facts come from the paper. Population match, weight-loss explanation and study tier are our judgments, made against the reference group of healthy normal-weight adults aged 55–75.
[Auto, unreviewed; last sentences of abstract] Conclusions: The loss of lean mass was greater in patients treated with GLP-1 RA than in the control group. These results highlight the importance for clinicians to incorporate lifestyle interventions, including physical activity and nutritional support, alongside therapy with GLP-1 RA.
01Findings
What the study reported
- Drugs
- Class unspecified
- Comparator
- controls
- Primary outcome
- Not extracted
- Effect
- Not extracted
- 95% confidence interval
- Not extracted
- Follow-up
- Not stated
- Adverse events
- Not extracted
- Limitations
- Auto-classified from abstract only; effect estimates, adverse events and limitations not extracted. Requires manual review.
Who was studied
- Obesity status
- obesity/overweight present (all or most)
- Diabetes status
- diabetes mentioned
- Sample size
- 171
Study quality details
- Study design
- Meta-analysis
- Sample size
- 171
- Randomization
- n/a
- Blinding
- not stated
- Comparator
- not stated
- Follow up duration
- not stated
- Outcome type
- intermediate
- Replication
- not assessed (auto)
- Consistency with other evidence
- not assessed (auto)
- Population applicability
- INDIRECT
- Statistical precision
- CI reported: 95% CI: [-1
- Risk of bias
- not assessed (auto)
- Funding conflicts
- unclear
- Peer review status
- yes
02Funding
Funding and conflicts
- Funding
- not reported in abstract
- Industry funded
- Unclear
- Manufacturer
- None identified
- Sponsor role
- not reported in abstract
- Author conflicts
- The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
- Independent replication
- unknown
Funding is shown on every study and never used to score it.
04Source
The source, as retrieved
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Excess adipose tissue is associated with adverse changes in muscle metabolism and body composition. GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) have transformed the treatment of obesity; however, concerns remain regarding the potential impact of treatment-associated weight loss on lean mass. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of GLP-1 RA on body composition in adults with obesity without type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with a particular focus on changes in lean mass. Methods: A database search of Medline Ultimate, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase was conducted to identify studies published up to December 30, 2024. Randomized controlled trials involving adults with obesity and without T2DM who received GLP-1 RA and reported changes in body composition were included. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42025645378). Random-effects meta-analysis was performed using inverse-variance weighting. Results: A total of 2776 articles were identified, of which three trials comprising 171 participants met the inclusion criteria. Compared with controls, participants receiving GLP-1 RA treatment experienced greater reductions in lean mass (MD = -0.78 kg, 95% CI: [-1.37 to -0.16], I2 = 63.2%). GLP-1 RA treatment was also associated with a significant reduction in fat mass (MD = -3.43 kg, 95% CI: [-5.94 to -0.93], I2 = 78.2%). Conclusions: The loss of lean mass was greater in patients treated with GLP-1 RA than in the control group. These results highlight the importance for clinicians to incorporate lifestyle interventions, including physical activity and nutritional support, alongside therapy with GLP-1 RA.
Where this record came from
| Source | Retrieved | Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| pubmed | Sep 20, 2026 | 42739822 first ingestion |