As GLP-1s have risen in popularity, physicians have been the subject of blame and criticized for being too quick to prescribe these weight loss medications. But according to newly released survey data from Virta Health the majority of doctors believe GLP-1s are only sustainable for 2-3 years, given side effects, results and costs.
The new survey captures the latest sentiment and trends on GLP-1s for weight loss from 300 PCPs, endocrinologists, and obesity-certified specialists across the US. Its findings demonstrate a hesitancy among doctors to view GLP-1s as a singular solution, or a “silver bullet”, for the obesity crisis.
Amid soaring GLP-1 demand, doctors face unrealistic patient expectations for weight loss
Nearly 9 in 10 physicians expect GLP-1 prescriptions to at least double this year with the majority anticipating a 3.5x or more increase. This is not surprising as media coverage, television ads, and success stories have led patients to believe GLP-1s could be a one-stop solution where fad diets and exercise have failed them.
83% of doctors report a significant gap in patient education, saying patients have unrealistic expectations of GLP-1s for weight loss, including outcomes, durability and side effects. This has created a “perfect storm” for physicians who must manage the growing number of requests for patients with the reality that not everyone wants to be on a GLP-1, and weight loss drugs don’t work for everyone.
The survey also found:
- Physicians are concerned about GLP-1 growth and costs. 85% of doctors are concerned about rising utilization while two-thirds (68%) report being considerably concerned about rising costs, including how costs will negatively impact the lives of their patients.
- Patients need more education about GLP-1s. 72% of physicians surveyed said that more than half of their patients overestimated the efficacy of GLP-1s. They want more proactive education so patients arrive better informed about what their experience and success with a GLP-1 might be like, as well as about alternatives, like medication-free lifestyle programs.
- Physicians say GLP-1s are used too easily and too frequently. 75% believe GLP-1s are used more than they should be for obesity. 64% believe that more provider oversight is required for GLP-1s to be useful for weight loss.
9 in 10 say lifestyle programs before GLP-1s for obesity
New indications for GLP-1s have helped reframe obesity as a disease - not a simple matter of willpower - and driven increased attention and resources toward a spiraling epidemic. But the attention has been focused heavily on pharmacological solutions, like GLP-1s with new weight loss approvals.
While weight loss medications will be right for some patients and at certain points clinically, they aren’t right for everyone and are often prescribed before a patient’s preferences, options and past history can be adequately explored. Potentially complicating this is that most physicians believe that GLP-1s are only sustainable for 2-3 years, given side effects, results and costs.
Given that, nearly all physicians (94%) strongly agree that proven, sustainable lifestyle programs should be a first line therapy for obesity before medications are introduced. They are most likely to recommend traditional diet and exercise, a low carbohydrate diet, or a whole food/plant-based diet as the most effective lifestyle programs to treat metabolic diseases.
But not all lifestyle programs are created equal
Doctors make these recommendations for a reason. Research shows that nutrition—what we eat, not how much we eat—can determine our ability to lose weight, improve blood sugar, and have more energy.
While there are data to support the effectiveness of lifestyle changes, history has shown that following these recommendations isn’t easy or sustainable without help - particularly when patients try to implement big changes on their own, without guidance based in research and the science of metabolic health.
Patients need personalized nutrition guidance that addresses their individual biochemistry and accounts for their preferences, along with intensive support for behavior change.
Virta is a telehealth provider clinically proven to reverse obesity, type 2 diabetes, and prediabetes. Through personalized nutrition, behavioral support, and provider-led care, Virta members achieve clinically significant health outcomes and lasting behavior change, all while safely losing weight and decreasing medications.
Only Virta delivers proven, rapid and long lasting weight loss results with or without medication:
Learn more about this research and Virta’s sustainable approach to weight loss
Click here to get the full survey report.
Click here to learn about Virta’s new GLP-1 desprescription research.
Click here to learn more about Virta’s sustainable weight loss solution, a better way to navigate GLP-1 costs and utilization.
Citations:
- Virta Health Registry, average weight loss among enterprise members with obesity cared for 70 days, registered as of 8/21/23. Weight change calculated from 3d average carried forward from last recorded in case of missing data at 70 days. Data as of 11/21/23.
- McKenzie AL, Athinarayanan SJ, McCue JJ, Adams RN, Keyes M, McCarter JP, Volek JS, Phinney SD, Hallberg SJ. Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Focused on Normalization of Glycemia: A Two-Year Pilot Study. Nutrients. 2021 Feb 26;13(3):749.
- McKenzie, A.L., Athinarayanan, S.J. Impact of Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Agonist Deprescription in Type 2 Diabetes in a Real-World Setting: A Propensity Score Matched Cohort Study. Diabetes Ther (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13300-024-01547-0