Part 4/10:
One of the most significant takeaways from examining GLP-1 drug efficacy is the disparity between clinical trial results and real-world usage. A 2023 study indicated that individuals on semaglutide for 52 weeks only lost, on average, about 4.4% of their body weight, which is a marked decline from initial trial findings. Furthermore, weight loss tends to plateau after a while, much like other weight management strategies such as diet, exercise, and bariatric surgery.
The difficulty in maintaining weight loss is often underreported, contributing to an unrealistic expectation that weight loss should be simple with these medications. The ongoing use of GLP-1 drugs is necessary to sustain the results, yet many individuals struggle with continued adherence.