Effect of GLP-1 receptor agonists at doses for obesity management on muscle health: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
Pooled result · Lean mass as a proportion of total weightResult — go to the resultIncrease 1.81 % 95% CI 1.1–2.52Authors' conclusion
There is an improvement in body composition due to an increase in lean mass as a proportion of total weight, an effect that could be amplified with the use of semaglutide.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with obesity; RCTs searched in PubMed, Embase and LILACS (March 2025)
- Participants
- 821 patients7 studies
- Comparison
- GLP-1 RA at obesity doses vs placebo
- Outcome
- Change in lean mass as a proportion of total weight
Methodological detailsrandom-effects model
- Random-effects model
Pooled result
Lean mass as a proportion of total weight
Increase
1.81 %
95% CI 1.1–2.52
P < 0.00001
GLP1-RAvs Placebo
increase 1.81 % (95% CI 1.1–2.52); P < 0.00001
As reported in the abstract
Further pooled results
| Outcome | Estimate | P value |
|---|---|---|
| Absolute lean mass, semaglutideMost significant reduction in absolute lean mass | −5.44 kg (95% CI −7.07 to −3.81) | P < 0.00001 |
Absolute change in lean mass
- Significant decrease in absolute change in lean mass
- −1.74 kg (95% CI: −3.04 to −0.45; p < 0.00001)
- Random-effects model
- I² = 98%
Percentage of lean mass
- Significant decrease in percentage of lean mass
- −3.06% (95% CI: −5.10 to −1.02; p < 0.00001)
- Random-effects model
- I² = 98%
Original publication
Effect of GLP-1 receptor agonists at doses for obesity management on muscle health: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Int J Obes (Lond). Published 19 June 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →