GLP-1 users may be making a major weight-loss mistake, new study suggests
Among those taking GLP-1 medications for weight loss, exercise rates are decreasing, according to new research.The study, set to be presented at ENDO 2026 (the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting) in Chicago this week, found that adults with obesity who lost weight with a GLP-1, such as Ozempic or Wegovy, “significantly reduced” their physical activity.In an Endocrine Society press release, study lead Sajana Maharjan, MD, of HSHS St.John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois, noted that GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide, liraglutide, dulaglutide and tirzepatide reduce both fat and lean muscle mass.This means physical activity is “essential for preserving strength and long-term health,” she said.The study, reportedly the first of its kind, considered data from a National Institutes of Health research program that linked participant records with fitness tracker activity.Researchers analyzed data from 753 people with obesity who initiated a GLP-1 medication.
The cohort was mostly female, at a mean age of 52.7 years.Comparing activity in participants before and after beginning treatment, the average number of steps decreased from 5,047 to 4,487 per day.Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity fell from 28 to 22 minutes per day, the study found.The largest declines were observed in men and in those with joint or muscle pain.
Other factors like age, heart failure or prior stroke did not change results.Although many people might assume that losing weight with these medications would lead to increased physical activity, the study found no evidence that it did, according to Maharjan.“The findings in our study reinforce that exercise cannot be optional for people taking these medications,” he said.“People need targeted interventions that encourage physical activity alongside medication for obesity.”The study was retrospective and observational, meaning it could only display an association, not a direct cause.
The participants were also mostly middle-aged ...