Body Composition Remodelling During GLP ‐1‐Based Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis Using a Hierarchical Physiological Framework
Authors' conclusion
Current comparative evidence suggests a possible direction toward greater reductions in adiposity during GLP-1-based therapy. However, the limited number of comparative studies, substantial between-study heterogeneity, wide confidence intervals, and low to very low certainty of evidence preclude definitive conclusions regarding preferential fat loss or preservation of skeletal muscle health.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with longitudinal body composition outcomes during GLP-1-based therapy; PubMed, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL to May 202619 studies
- Comparison
- GLP-1-based therapy vs comparator
- Outcome
- Adiposity (primary comparative meta-analysis; also muscle quantity)
Methodological detailspredefined hierarchical physiological framework, random-effects meta-analysis, restricted maximum likelihood with Hartung-Knapp adjustment
- Predefined hierarchical physiological framework
- Random-effects meta-analysis
- Restricted maximum likelihood with Hartung-Knapp adjustment
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Adiposity
- Comparative studies in adiposity meta-analysis
- 3
Further pooled results
Muscle quantity
- Based on two comparative studies; highly heterogeneous and imprecise
Muscle quality
- Not quantitatively synthesized; evaluated narratively
Exploratory single-arm analyses
- Reductions in adiposity and body weight; changes in muscle quantity varied across studies
Original publication
Body Composition Remodelling During GLP ‐1‐Based Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis Using a Hierarchical Physiological Framework. Diabetes Obes Metab. Published 17 August 2026. doi:10.
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