Wellness Apps, Medically Tailored Meals Help Slow Weight Gain After GLP-1s

Recent research indicates that structured support may aid in maintaining weight loss after discontinuing GLP-1 medications like semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Zepbound). A small study demonstrated that digital weight management apps or medically tailored meals could potentially slow down weight regain following the cessation of these drugs.

Experts emphasize that healthy eating, regular exercise, and ongoing medical support are crucial for maintaining weight loss, while some individuals might benefit from continuing GLP-1 medications in the long run. Weight regain is a common occurrence after halting GLP-1 medications, with most individuals regaining at least half of their lost weight within the first year, often accelerating within the first three to four months.

The study, published in Obesity Science & Practice on October 7, involved 39 adults aged 50 on average, weighing 189 pounds each, with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 31.4. These participants had lost over 10% of their body weight while on GLP-1 medications and had discontinued treatment within the past 30 days. Researchers randomly assigned participants into three groups: usual care, digital weight management app, and medically tailored meals.

Usual care included care from healthcare providers, which entailed nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle counseling from a clinician or dietitian, with the intensity and quantity varying based on provider recommendations and resources. The digital weight management app utilized Noom, a program that employs behavioral strategies to promote weight loss and maintenance, including tracking food intake, exercise, and weight, as well as offering educational lessons on behavioral, physiological, social, and environmental factors influencing eating habits.

Participants were advised to use the app for at least 15 minutes daily, engaging in lessons, logging food, and monitoring their weight. Medically tailored meals consist of nutrient-dense, portion-controlled meals created by registered dietitians to cater to the nutritional requirements of individuals with specific health conditions, such as chronic kidney disease or poorly controlled type 2 diabetes.

In this study, participants in this group chose 10 portion-controlled meals weekly from over 70 options, which were delivered to their homes. After four months, participants who received either medically tailored meals or digital weight management app exhibited significantly less weight regain compared to those in the usual care group.

The estimated weight regain in the usual-care group was 10.75% of body weight, while the Noom group experienced 3.6% and the medically tailored meals group saw a 3.58% regain. While all groups regained some weight, the study suggests that supportive nutritional or behavioral measures may help mitigate weight regain after stopping GLP-1 medications.

Experts such as Dr. Mir Ali, medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center, and Dr. Denise Pate, a board-certified internist, emphasize the importance of ongoing support beyond medications—highlighting the multifaceted nature of obesity management, which incorporates medication, nutritional strategies, and behavioral changes.

However, due to the study's small scale and short duration, larger, longer-term trials are required to ascertain the efficacy of these approaches in sustaining weight loss over time after discontinuing GLP-1 medications.