Among those taking GLP-1 medications for weight loss, exercise rates are decreasing, according to new research as reported in the New York Post.
The study 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.
