Efficacy of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Weight Loss, BMI, and Waist Circumference for Patients With Obesity or Overweight: A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and Meta-regression of 47 Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors' conclusion
GLP-1 RAs demonstrated significant weight, BMI, and waist circumference reduction benefits in this meta-analysis.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with obesity or overweight with or without diabetes; Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from PubMed, Embase and CENTRAL to 4 October 2024
- Participants
- 23,244 adults47 RCTs
- Comparison
- GLP-1 RAs vs placebo
- Outcome
- Mean differences from baseline in weight, BMI and waist circumference
Methodological detailsTwo independent reviewers performed literature search and data extraction
- Two independent reviewers performed literature search and data extraction
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Weight, BMI and waist circumference
Each group vs placeboMean weight reduction, kg (95% CI)
GLP-1 RAs
−4.57(−5.35 to −3.78)
Each group vs placeboMean BMI reduction, kg/m2 (95% CI)
GLP-1 RAs
−2.07(−2.53 to −1.62)
Each group vs placeboMean waist circumference reduction, cm (95% CI)
GLP-1 RAs
−4.55(−5.72 to −3.38)
Further pooled results
Meta-regression: modifiers of treatment benefit
- Greatest benefit appeared to favor patients younger, female, without diabetes, with higher baseline weight and BMI but lower baseline HbA1c, and treated longer
Original publication
Efficacy of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Weight Loss, BMI, and Waist Circumference for Patients With Obesity or Overweight: A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and Meta-regression of 47 Randomized Controlled Trials. Diabetes Care. Published 22 January 2025. doi:10.
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