Combatting Muscle Loss in Obese Adult Patients on GLP-1 Medications Through Dietary Counseling and Exercise During Treatment Evaluates Whether a 12-week Exercise and Individualized Nutrition Program Can Reduce Muscle and Bone Loss and Improve Strength, Fitness, and Function in Obese Adults on GLP-1

Study Summary

Obesity remains a critical public health challenge and is associated with increased rates of morbidity, mortality, and chronic disease worldwide. In recent years, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, such as semaglutide, have emerged as highly effective pharmacological treatments for obesity, producing substantial weight loss and favorable metabolic improvements. These medications are now widely prescribed, with estimates suggesting that nearly 12% of Americans are currently using or have previously used GLP-1 therapies. Despite their demonstrated benefits, growing evidence indicates that GLP-1-associated weight loss may be accompanied by unintended reductions in skeletal muscle and bone mass. This potential side effect is of increasing concern, as muscle and bone are essential for metabolic health, physical function, injury prevention, and recovery from illness or surgical intervention. Loss of skeletal muscle during weight reduction may negatively impact strength, mobility, insulin sensitivity, and long-term health outcomes. These risks may be further compounded in individuals experiencing reduced physical activity, mechanical unloading, or prolonged caloric deficits. In clinical and surgical populations, such as individuals undergoing orthopedic procedures, mechanical unloading and disuse already predispose patients to muscle and bone atrophy. When combined with pharmacologically induced weight loss, these factors may further hinder recovery, impair functional capacity, and compromise musculoskeletal integrity. As GLP-1 therapies are increasingly adopted across diverse populations, understanding how to preserve lean mass and bone health during treatment has become an important clinical and public health priority. Exercise training, particularly resistance training, combined with appropriate nutritional support, has consistently been shown to preserve and enhance skeletal muscle and bone mass during weight loss. Structured exercise interventions ca

Primary Outcome

Change in skeletal muscle mass measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).

Interventions

• BEHAVIORAL Exercise
• BEHAVIORAL Dietary Counseling
• DRUG Semaglutide