Nutritional intake changes during GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Authors

Anh Tuan Quan, Hoang Linh Nguyen, Tran My Thanh Nguyen

Published in

Diabetes & metabolic syndrome. Volume 20. Issue 7. Pages 103466. Jul 25, 2026. Epub Jul 25, 2026.

Abstract

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, including the dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and GLP-1 receptor agonist tirzepatide, produce substantial weight loss, yet their effect on objectively measured dietary intake has not been quantitatively synthesized. We assessed their impact on ad libitum lunch energy intake.
We searched six databases through March 31, 2026, for studies reporting quantitative dietary outcomes in adults receiving a GLP-1 or dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist. Randomized or crossover placebo-controlled trials lasting at least four weeks that reported standardized ad libitum lunch intake were pooled using a DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model. Prespecified sensitivity analyses included restricted maximum likelihood (REML) and Paule-Mandel estimators, a 95% prediction interval, a subgroup analysis, a leave-one-out analysis, and an exploratory three-week phase 1 tirzepatide trial.
Sixteen studies were included in the systematic review; four arms from three trials (209 participants) contributed to the primary meta-analysis. The pooled treatment difference in ad libitum lunch energy intake was -1132 kJ (95% confidence interval [CI] -1449 to -815), approximately -271 kcal, with no heterogeneity (I-squared = 0%; 95% prediction interval -1828 to -436 kJ). Adding the phase 1 trial (k = 5) increased the effect to -1421 kJ but introduced substantial heterogeneity (I-squared = 70%). The semaglutide-versus-tirzepatide difference was not significant (p = 0.154).
GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy markedly reduces acute energy intake under standardized meal tests, but real-world habitual intake remains underreported. Structured nutritional counseling emphasizing adequate protein should complement pharmacotherapy.

PMID:
42508090
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 28 Jul 2026.

Read full publication at:
Please sign in to see all details.

Stats

1-terrible, 9-excellent. How would you rate this publication? Sign in in to submit your rating.

Post a comment

You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

Comments

There are no comments yet.