New Study Reveals the Most Effective Obesity Treatment Methods

New research has unveiled differences in the effectiveness of obesity treatments.

In the United States, over 40% of adults and 19% of children struggle with obesity, sparking a variety of treatment options proper for their needs. Yet the growth in available treatments has made it harder to keep up with the best choice.

Prescription medications like Ozempic (semaglutide), Wegovy (semaglutide), and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) are among popular treatment options.

The most effective obesity treatments on the market were narrowed down in a recent analysis published in JAMA last month.

Report's author, Melanie Jay, MD, shared with Health, the significant increase in available medications within only the last four to five years.

The goal of this review was to analyze available data into a straightforward summary, she said.

In their research, Jay and her team examined over 100 studies, and numerous randomized control trials (RCTs), and articles.

The severity of obesity's impact on the US underlines the necessity for comprehensive research on the condition.

With higher risks of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis, and premature death, obesity needs more focus and study.

The study stresses that obesity is a medical condition that should be studied as one.

Insinuating it's a disease, Jay added that obesity is not about willpower or a individual's moral failing.

The next portion aims to compare available obesity treatments and examine areas still needing more research.

Across 126 articles, Jay and her team compiled data available on obesity treatments.

According to Jay, there were tens of thousands of obesity-related articles.

The report's authors ensured to select only premium quality papers for their review.

The research showed that the most successful treatments for obesity were bariatric surgery, behavioral interventions, and certain medications like glucagon-like peptide receptor 1 (GLP-1) agonists and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide/GLP-1 receptor agonists.

GLP-1 agonists include medications like semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) and liraglutide. Medications like Mounjaro and Zepbound contain tirzepatide, a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide/GLP-1 agonist.

The research also revealed differences in weight-loss effectiveness with various treatments.

Medications containing tirzepatide (Mounjaro and Zepbound) resulted in the highest effect, with an average 21% weight loss after 72 weeks of use.

The new review offers an accurate reflection of the current field of obesity treatment, said Benjamin O’Donnell, MD, an endocrinologist and weight management expert at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

O’Donnell explained that personalized treatment plans ought to be provided to ensure long-term success.

He also explained that the effectiveness of different treatments depends on how they affect an individuals' fullness or hunger.

Bariatric surgery, which impacts food consumption and nutrient absorption, is recommended for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or those a BMI between 30 to 34.9 with metabolic disease.

When lifestyle changes haven't worked, bariatric surgery might become an option.

Medications like semaglutide, liraglutide, and tirzepatide are suggested for people with a BMI of 30 or those with a BMI of 27 with an obesity-related comorbidity like hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or sleep apnea.

These medications delay gastric emptying and suppress appetite, making food stay in the stomach longer.

Behavioral interventions are encouraged for those who are obese or overweight.

People who implement behavioral interventions may start dieting or exercising, and these interventions also include stress management techniques and advice for people who get insufficient sleep.

Though the report explains that multiple treatments currently on the market can be effective, Jay explained there are currently many challenges in the field of obesity treatment.

She explained that there aren’t enough obesity specialists in the U.S., which is worrying given that the number of people with obesity is expected to increase.

Though the new medications have been helpful to many, they’ve also created new dilemmas in the healthcare industry—like accessibility.

“There’s a lot of access issues,” Jay said. “The supply’s not keeping up with the demand.”

The question of who can access the medications also needs to be addressed.

“If we have better treatments, but they widen health disparities, that would be an unintended consequence” of these new treatment options, she explained.

Ultimately, more studies need to be done to answer questions about who should get the new medications and how they can be covered by insurers.

And, though the new review provides a thorough look at obesity treatments right now, the topic will need to be continuously studied to keep up with the market.

“The review, in a year, will be slightly outdated,” Jay said, “because of the new medications coming out.”