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Nutritional priorities to support GLP-1 therapy for obesity: A joint Advisory from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, the American Society for Nutrition, the Obesity Medicine Association, and The Obesity Society.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Mozaffarian, D; Agarwal, M; Aggarwal, M; Alexander, L; Apovian, CM; Bindlish, S; Bonnet, J; Butsch, WS; Christensen, S; Gianos, E; Gulati, M ...
Published in: Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)
August 2025

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists and combination medications (hereafter collectively referred to as GLP-1s) are shifting the treatment landscape for obesity. However, real-world challenges and limited clinician and public knowledge on nutritional and lifestyle interventions can limit GLP-1 efficacy, equitable results, and cost-effectiveness.We aimed to identify pragmatic priorities for nutrition and other lifestyle interventions relevant to GLP-1 treatment of obesity for the practicing clinician.An expert group comprising multiple clinical and research disciplines appraised the scientific literature, informed by expert knowledge and clinical experience, to identify and summarize relevant topics, priorities, and emerging directions.GLP-1s reduce body weight by 5% to 18% in trials, with modestly lower effects in real-world analyses, and multiple demonstrated clinical benefits. Challenges include side effects, especially gastrointestinal; nutritional deficiencies due to calorie reduction; muscle and bone loss; low long-term adherence with subsequent weight regain; and high costs with resulting low cost-effectiveness. Numerous practice guidelines recommend multicomponent, evidence-based nutritional and behavioral therapy for adults with obesity, but use of such therapies with GLP-1s is not widespread. Priorities to address this include: (a) patient-centered initiation of GLP-1s, including goals for weight reduction and health; (b) baseline screening, including usual dietary habits, emotional triggers, disordered eating, and relevant medical conditions; (c) comprehensive exam including muscle strength, function, and body composition assessment; (d) social determinants of health screening; (e) and lifestyle assessment including aerobic activity, strength training, sleep, mental stress, substance use, and social connections. During GLP-1 use, nutritional and medical management of gastrointestinal side effects is critical, as is navigating altered dietary preferences and intakes, preventing nutrient deficiencies, preserving muscle and bone mass through resistance training and appropriate diet, and complementary lifestyle interventions. Supportive strategies include group-based visits, registered dietitian nutritionist counseling, telehealth and digital platforms, and Food is Medicine interventions. Drug access, food and nutrition insecurity, and nutrition and culinary knowledge influence equitable obesity management with GLP-1s. Emerging areas for more study include dietary modulation of endogenous GLP-1, strategies to improve compliance, nutritional priorities for weight maintenance post-cessation, combination or staged intensive lifestyle management, and diagnostic criteria for clinical obesity.Evidence-based nutritional and lifestyle strategies play a pivotal role to address key challenges around GLP-1 treatment of obesity, making clinicians more effective in advancing their patients' health.

Published In

Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)

DOI

EISSN

1930-739X

ISSN

1930-7381

Publication Date

August 2025

Volume

33

Issue

8

Start / End Page

1475 / 1503

Related Subject Headings

  • Weight Loss
  • United States
  • Obesity
  • Life Style
  • Humans
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists
  • Endocrinology & Metabolism
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
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MLA
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Mozaffarian, D., Agarwal, M., Aggarwal, M., Alexander, L., Apovian, C. M., Bindlish, S., … Callahan, E. A. (2025). Nutritional priorities to support GLP-1 therapy for obesity: A joint Advisory from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, the American Society for Nutrition, the Obesity Medicine Association, and The Obesity Society. Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.), 33(8), 1475–1503. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.24336
Mozaffarian, Dariush, Monica Agarwal, Monica Aggarwal, Lydia Alexander, Caroline M. Apovian, Shagun Bindlish, Jonathan Bonnet, et al. “Nutritional priorities to support GLP-1 therapy for obesity: A joint Advisory from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, the American Society for Nutrition, the Obesity Medicine Association, and The Obesity Society.Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) 33, no. 8 (August 2025): 1475–1503. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.24336.
Mozaffarian D, Agarwal M, Aggarwal M, Alexander L, Apovian CM, Bindlish S, Bonnet J, Butsch WS, Christensen S, Gianos E, Gulati M, Gupta A, Horn D, Kane RM, Saluja J, Sannidhi D, Stanford FC, Callahan EA. Nutritional priorities to support GLP-1 therapy for obesity: A joint Advisory from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, the American Society for Nutrition, the Obesity Medicine Association, and The Obesity Society. Obesity (Silver Spring, Md). 2025 Aug;33(8):1475–1503.
Journal cover image

Published In

Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)

DOI

EISSN

1930-739X

ISSN

1930-7381

Publication Date

August 2025

Volume

33

Issue

8

Start / End Page

1475 / 1503

Related Subject Headings

  • Weight Loss
  • United States
  • Obesity
  • Life Style
  • Humans
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists
  • Endocrinology & Metabolism
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis