GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have become game changers for people with type 2 diabetes, helping many stabilize blood sugar and lose weight. But new research shows they don’t work the same for everyone.
Scientists in Japan followed 92 people with diabetes during their first year on these medications and found that eating habits mattered. Those who tended to eat because food looked or smelled tempting lost more weight over time. But people who ate mainly to cope with negative emotions were less likely to see meaningful results.
“Pre-treatment assessment of eating behavior patterns may help predict who will benefit most from GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy,” said Prof. Daisuke Yabe of Kyoto University, senior author of the study published in Frontiers in Clinical Diabetes and Healthcare. He noted that the drugs seem to work best when overeating is triggered by outside cues, not emotions.
Overall, participants showed lower body weight, cholesterol and body fat while keeping muscle mass steady. But emotional eating patterns tended to return within a year, suggesting that medication alone may not be enough.
“One possible explanation is that emotional eating is more strongly influenced by psychological factors which may not be directly addressed by GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy,” said Dr. Takehiro Kato of Gifu University, a co-author.
The researchers stressed that their findings are early evidence. Because people reported their own eating habits and the study wasn’t designed to test cause and effect, the results should be seen as suggestive rather than definitive. Larger trials are needed to confirm the link.
Still, the study highlights that medication is only part of the picture.
“Individuals with prominent emotional eating tendencies may require additional behavioral or psychological support,” Kato said
This study did not receive outside funding.