People using GLP-1 medications for weight loss were more likely to report strong results when they also had social support, exercised regularly and followed other healthy routines, according to a new Gallup analysis.
The five factors associated with greater perceived effectiveness were encouragement from a support person, frequent exercise, progress toward personal goals, regular fruit and vegetable consumption, and feeling active and productive.
Support and activity stand out
Gallup found people with someone who encouraged healthy choices were about twice as likely to call the medications extremely effective. Exercising for at least 30 minutes on five or more days a week was also associated with a roughly 11-point increase in reports of extreme effectiveness.
Respondents who said they had achieved most of their goals during the previous 12 months were more than twice as likely to report the strongest results. Eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables on five or more days a week and feeling active and productive every day were also linked to better self-reported outcomes.
Among people who had used a GLP-1 medication for weight loss, 31% described it as extremely effective and 40% called it effective. Seven percent said it was not effective at all.
Findings rely on self-reported results
The analysis drew from a May 28-June 5 survey of 5,065 U.S. adults, including 784 people who had used a GLP-1 medication for weight loss. Gallup found 15% of adults had ever used one of the drugs for that purpose and 11% were current users.
Gallup said the results are based on participants' perceptions rather than biometric measurements. The survey identifies relationships between lifestyle factors and reported effectiveness but does not establish that the habits caused better results.
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