What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to explore the experiences and dosing practices of individuals living with obesity when using GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight loss.

June 7, 2026

2614-P: Understanding the Lived Experiences of Dosing Practices among People Living with Obesity (PwO) Using Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1RAs) for Weight Loss (WL): A U.S. Qualitative Study

Key Points

This study aims to explore the experiences and dosing practices of individuals living with obesity when using GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight loss.
Analyzed public user-generated content from Reddit and YouTube using natural language processing (NLP).
Conducted 2-hour face-to-face ethnographic interviews with 25 participants aged 25-65.
Explored themes related to health, psychosocial aspects, and practical considerations influencing GLP-1 RA use.
NLP identified key themes related to health, identity, and practical barriers affecting GLP-1 RA use for weight loss.
Face-to-face interviews revealed evolving dynamics in treatment experiences and goals among participants.
Themes highlighted the need for person-centered educational support in GLP-1 RA treatment.

Abstract

Introduction and Objective: GLP-1 RAs are increasingly used for WL, yet little is known about how PwO experience and personalize treatment in everyday life. This mixed-method study aimed to elucidate the dynamics shaping treatment experiences and dosing practices of PwO using GLP-1 RA in the US. Methods: Public user-generated content from Reddit (N250,000 posts) and YouTube (N=2,000 video transcripts, 56,700 comments) GLP-1 RA user forums (2019-2025) was analyzed by natural language processing (NLP) for key themes. Lived experiences and GLP-1 RA dose personalization practices of PwO were explored in 2-hour F2F ethnographic in-home interviews. Results: NLP analysis of social data identified key health-related (behavioral considerations, medical guidance, side effects, effectiveness), psychosocial (interpersonal relationships, identity), and practical (cost and access) person-centric themes influencing GLP-1 RA use for WL. F2F interviews (N=25; age 25-65 years; 64% female; 64% White, 24% Black, 12% Hispanic) identified evolving dynamics shaping WL GLP-1 RA treatment among PwO, including experiences, goals, and dosing practices (Table 1). Conclusion: The dynamics shaping GLP-1 RA treatment for WL highlight actionable priorities for person-centered education and support for GLP-1 RA treatment personalization. Disclosure V. Aroda: Research Support; Current; Amgen Inc. Research Support; Ended; Applied Therapeutics. Research Support; Current; AstraZeneca. Other - Biomea; institutional consultant and research support; Current; Biomea. Research Support; Current; Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Corcept Therapeutics, Eli Lilly and Company, Fractyl Health, Inc., Novo Nordisk, Pfizer Inc. Consultant; Current; Recordati S.p.A. Research Support; Current; Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Consultant; Ended; Servier Laboratories, Mediflix, Inc., Roche Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi. Other - spouse is an employee; Current; Flagship Pioneering. Other - spouse was an employee; Ended; AditumBio, Johnson Ended; Novo Nordisk. Z.I. Saeed: Consultant; Ended; Sanofi. Research Support; Current; Amylyx Pharmaceutical. L. Hammershøy: Employee; Current; Novo Nordisk A/S. I. Weller: Other - employee of Stripe Partners, which received funding from Novo Nordisk for undertaking this research.; Ended; Novo Nordisk. A. Rolin: Employee; Current; Novo Nordisk. A. Micheelsen: Employee; Current; Novo Nordisk. F.K. Knop: Employee; Current; Novo Nordisk. Stock/Shareholder; Current; Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and Company, Zealand Pharma A/S, Gubra. J.V. Laursen: Employee; Current; Novo Nordisk A/S. Funding This work was funded by Novo Nordisk A/S.

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