Short summary: A consensus statement in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology says care during GLP-1 and other incretin-based medicines should include more than weight tracking. For adults using these medicines, clinicians may need to monitor nutrition quality, protein intake, muscle and function, gastrointestinal symptoms, micronutrient risk, and psychological wellbeing.
What happened
The European Association for the Study of Obesity, the European Federation of the Associations of Dietitians, and the European Coalition for People Living with Obesity published a consensus statement on adults using incretin-based therapies.
These therapies include GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual GLP-1-GIP receptor agonists. The article is a consensus statement, not a new randomized trial. Its purpose is to outline practical nutrition, function, and psychological considerations during treatment.
Why this matters
Incretin medicines can reduce appetite and support substantial weight loss for many adults. But the consensus statement notes that reduced appetite, rapid weight loss, gastrointestinal adverse effects, and changes in eating behaviour may create nutritional, functional, or psychological risks in some people.
That is the important patient-facing point: successful treatment is not only about the number on the scale. It is also about whether a person is eating enough nourishing food, staying strong enough for daily life, managing side effects, and getting support if food, mood, body image, or social eating becomes difficult.
What the consensus highlights
The statement focuses on several areas that may need review during treatment:
- Diet quality: eating less food should not mean poor nutrition.
- Protein intake: protein targets may need attention during weight loss, especially when appetite is low.
- Gastrointestinal symptoms: nausea, fullness, reflux, constipation, or diarrhea can affect food intake and adherence.
- Muscle and function: preserving fat-free mass and daily function should be part of monitoring where relevant.
- Resistance exercise: progressive resistance exercise is discussed as one practical approach to support strength and function.
- Micronutrient risk: people eating much less may need review for diet gaps.
- Psychological support: the statement highlights changes in food reward, coping, social connection, and identity, with psychological screening and integrated support where needed.
Muscle and function should not be an afterthought
Weight loss can include both fat mass and some fat-free mass. The consensus statement discusses adequate protein intake and progressive resistance exercise as practical ways to help support physical function during weight loss.
This does not mean every adult needs the same protein target or the same exercise plan. Older adults, people with frailty, people losing weight quickly, and people with very low appetite may need more individualized review.
Mental health and eating behaviour are part of care
The statement also emphasizes psychological and identity-related issues. For some adults, reduced appetite may feel helpful. For others, changes in hunger, food reward, social meals, coping habits, or body image may be challenging.
The consensus recommends psychological screening with integrated support where needed. This is not because these medicines are wrong for everyone. It is because good care should include the person using the medicine, not only the prescription.
Practical takeaway
If you use a GLP-1 or dual incretin medicine, do not change the dose, pause treatment, or stop treatment based on this article. Use it as a checklist for your next review with your healthcare team.
Useful questions include: Am I getting enough nutrient-rich food? Is low appetite making meals too small? Are gut symptoms interfering with eating? Am I doing safe strength activity? Has my energy, mood, sleep, body image, or relationship with food changed? Would a dietitian, exercise professional, or mental health professional help?
The consensus message is practical: medication can be one part of treatment, but nutrition, function, psychological wellbeing, access, adherence, and shared decision-making are also part of adult incretin-based therapy care.
Source and evidence summary
- Primary source: EASO, EFAD, and ECPO consensus statement on nutritional, functional, and psychological considerations for incretin-based therapies in adults. PubMed record: PMID 42419343.
- Journal: The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
- DOI: 10.1016/S2213-8587(26)00122-1.