Lean Mass Changes With Incretin Therapy Versus Lifestyle Intervention: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials
Authors' conclusion
Lean mass loss during significant weight reduction is substantial, and the proportion of weight lost as lean mass is broadly comparable between incretin-based pharmacotherapy and lifestyle interventions. Muscle mass can be significantly preserved by integrating resistance training, adequate protein intake, and body composition monitoring into weight-loss treatment programs.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with overweight or obesity; Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with body composition by DXA or MRI
- Participants
- 15,782 adults20 RCTs
- Comparison
- Incretin-based therapies vs intensive lifestyle interventions
- Outcome
- Co-primary: absolute change in lean mass (kg) and proportion of total weight loss attributable to lean mass
Methodological detailsrandom-effects models, Cochrane RoB 2, GRADE, Searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL and Web of Science from inception through 20 January 2026
- Random-effects models
- Cochrane RoB 2
- GRADE
- Searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL and Web of Science from inception through 20 January 2026
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Proportion of total weight lost as lean mass
P = 0.42 for comparison
- Heterogeneity (I2)
- 68%
Further pooled results
- No publication bias detected (Egger's test)
- P = 0.23
Original publication
Lean Mass Changes With Incretin Therapy Versus Lifestyle Intervention: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials. Diabetes Obes Metab. Published 24 March 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →