Study Reveals Ozempic’s Mixed Efficacy for Emotional Eaters
Recent research has highlighted the varied effectiveness of GLP-1 agonists, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, in treating patients with type 2 diabetes. A study conducted in Japan suggests that emotional eating may diminish the benefits of these medications for certain individuals. The findings were published in Frontiers in Clinical Diabetes and Healthcare on March 15, 2024.
The study involved 92 participants who began treatment with GLP-1 drugs. Researchers aimed to understand why some individuals experience more significant weight loss and improved blood sugar levels than others. They focused on different eating behaviors, categorizing them into emotional eating, external eating, and restrained eating.
According to Daisuke Yabe, senior author of the study and a professor at Kyoto University, “Pre-treatment assessment of eating behavior patterns may help predict who will benefit most from GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy.” The study found that individuals whose overeating is triggered by external stimuli, such as the sight or smell of food, had better long-term outcomes compared to those who eat in response to emotional triggers.
Research Methodology
The research team gathered comprehensive data on participants’ body weight, diet, blood glucose, and cholesterol levels. They assessed these factors at the start of treatment, three months in, and after one year. Over the course of the study, participants demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in body weight, cholesterol levels, and body fat percentage, while skeletal muscle mass remained unchanged. Although blood glucose levels improved, this change was not statistically significant.
Participants reported notable shifts in their eating behaviors. Initially, there was an increase in restrained eating and a decrease in external and emotional eating three months after starting treatment. However, by the end of the year, many participants reverted to their previous eating habits.
Takehiro Kato, a researcher at Gifu University and second author of the study, noted, “One possible explanation is that emotional eating is more strongly influenced by psychological factors which may not be directly addressed by GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy.” He suggested that individuals with significant emotional eating tendencies might benefit from additional behavioral or psychological support alongside medication.
Impact of External Eating
Throughout the year-long study, participants reported a decrease in external eating behaviors. Those who initially indicated high levels of external eating experienced the most significant improvements in blood glucose levels and weight loss. However, the research team did not find any correlation between emotional or restrained eating scores at the start and the effectiveness of the GLP-1 drugs after twelve months.
Yabe cautioned that while the study indicates a possible link between eating behaviors and treatment response, these findings are preliminary. “Further evidence is necessary before they can be implemented in clinical practice. Should future large-scale or randomized controlled trials validate this relationship, incorporating simple behavioral assessments could become a valuable component in optimizing treatment strategies,” he concluded.
As interest in GLP-1 agonists grows, understanding the nuances of patient responses to these medications will be crucial in tailoring effective diabetes management plans.
