Study Finds Weight Loss Drugs Like Ozempic Aren't As Effective As This One Strategy

Obesity affects around four out of every 10 adults in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . But the recent emergence of GLP-1 agonist drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy, has brought new weight loss options to people who have obesity but aren't making inroads with lifestyle changes alone. (It's worth noting, though, that Ozempic has increased risks for people over 50 .)

GLP-1 agonists "trick" the body into feeling fuller, resulting in satiety after modest food intake. As a result, people who respond to these medications end up shedding pounds. In a 2024 study published in Obesity that examined 2,405 patients with obesity (or overweight) and type 2 diabetes, about 33% lost at least 5% of their weight after taking a GLP-1 agonist for 72 week