Effects of Incretin‐Based Therapies, Diet and Exercise Interventions, and Bariatric Surgery on Fat‐Free Mass in Adults With Overweight or Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors' conclusion
Among the included studies with ≥ 10% weight loss in individuals with overweight or obesity, diet and exercise interventions were associated with the smallest reductions in FFM, whereas incretin-based therapies and bariatric surgery showed substantially greater losses.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with overweight or obesity (with or without T2D) achieving ≥ 10% weight loss of total body weight; RCTs published 2015 to October 21st, 2025
- Participants
- 1,334 adults21 studies
- Comparison
- Diet and exercise interventions vs incretin-based therapies vs bariatric surgery
- Outcome
- Change in fat-free mass (FFM) (DXA) or muscle mass (CT or MRI)
Methodological detailsSearched PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase
- Searched PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Pooled change in FFM
Diet and exercise
−1.8
95% CI −2.6–-1.0 · kg
Incretin-based therapies
−4.8
95% CI −5.6–-3.9 · kg
Bariatric surgery
−9.1
95% CI −12.3–-6.0 · kg
Further pooled results
Proportion of total weight loss attributable to FFM · Diet group: diet with/without exercise
Diet without exercise Diet and exercise 22.3%
Diet with exercise Diet and exercise 7.7%
Original publication
Effects of Incretin‐Based Therapies, Diet and Exercise Interventions, and Bariatric Surgery on Fat‐Free Mass in Adults With Overweight or Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis. Diabetes Obes Metab. Published 21 June 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →