'Ozempic Butt' Isn't Always Muscle Loss—What Experts Want Patients To Know
Two obesity specialists told Newsweek that the key to protecting muscle comes down to two simple habits.
Recent research has highlighted a concern beyond the dramatic weight loss effects of GLP-1 medications: muscle loss. According to a July 2026 Gallup survey, 11% of U.S. adults now take these drugs for weight loss, nearly quadrupling the 2024 share. However, obesity specialists argue that the reality surrounding muscle loss on these medications is more complex than feared.
Carol Eisenstat, founder of the SlimMD weight-loss program in New Jersey, explained that losing some lean mass during weight loss is a natural occurrence, regardless of the method used. Any significant weight loss, whether through diet, surgery, or medication, leads to the loss of lean tissue. Studies indicate that 25% to 40% of weight lost on GLP-1 medications may come from lean mass, though this figure may seem alarming, experts emphasize that muscle is different from fat, and most weight loss remains fat.
The term "Ozempic butt" refers to altered body shape due to fat loss, while "Ozempic face" describes a gaunt facial appearance from fat loss beneath the skin. Eisenstat noted that public conversations often confuse fat loss with muscle loss, but this is not the case. Dr. Jessica Duncan, an obesity medicine physician, highlighted that preserving muscle should be a priority, though clinically significant muscle loss is manageable for most people.
She emphasized that alarming headlines may deter people from seeking treatment that could improve long-term health. Both experts stressed the importance of protein intake and resistance training to maintain muscle mass during weight loss. They also pointed out specific groups at higher risk, including older adults, postmenopausal women, and those with low muscle mass at the start of treatment or who lose weight rapidly.
They recommended closely monitoring these patients, focusing on protein, and incorporating two resistance-training sessions per week. Research into drugs that preserve muscle during weight loss is ongoing, with apittegromab being one promising experimental therapy showing early success.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
