Quiz: Do You Know Enough About GLP-1s to Treat Obesity?

To say that glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) medications have transformed the treatment of obesity may be an understatement. When combined with healthy lifestyle changes, these medications can help people with obesity lose significant amounts of weight — up to 20 percent of body weight, in some cases — while also improving obesity-related conditions such as sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease.

While these medications have been a major breakthrough, they’re not intended to be a quick fix.

GLP-1s work best as part of a larger holistic care plan, and people who take them should understand the potential risks and side effects. They also need to be ready to make a long-term commitment to their health. “GLP-1s have changed the landscape for obesity care, and people who take them should know what to expect with these treatments, as being prepared may help with long-term success,” says Kimberly Gudzune, MD, MPH, a board-certified obesity medicine physician and affiliate faculty at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore.

Thinking about adding a GLP-1 to your obesity treatment plan? Take this assessment, developed in collaboration with Dr. Gudzune, to see how much you know about these medications and whether you’re ready to integrate one into your care plan.

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Resources

Shah Y et al. Weight Loss That Lasts: Reviewing the Long-Term Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists. Cureus. July 19, 2025.
Wilding JPH et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine. February 10, 2021.
Popoviciu MS et al. Emerging Role of GLP-1 Agonists in Obesity: A Comprehensive Review of Randomised Controlled Trials. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. June 21, 2023.

Additional Sources

Son AJ et al. Cycling GLP-1 receptor agonist treatment induces therapeutic resistance and increased adiposity. JCI Insight. March 31, 2026.
Wong M et al. Reduced-Frequency GLP Therapy Maintains Weight, Body Composition, and Metabolic Syndrome Improvements: A Case Series. Obesity (Silver Spring). June 2026.
Urbina J et al. Micronutrient and Nutritional Deficiencies Associated With GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Therapy: A Narrative Review. Clinical Obesity. February 2026.
Leading Obesity Expert Organizations Release Statement to Patients on Compounded GLP-1 Alternatives. Obesity Action Coalition. January 9, 2024.
Mountain J. Compounded Weight Loss Medications: What are They and What are Their Risks? Brown University Health. March 18, 2025.
FDA’s Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs Used for Weight Loss. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. June 15, 2026.
Linge J et al. Muscle Mass and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists: Adaptive or Maladaptive Response to Weight Loss? Circulation. October 14, 2024.
UC Davis Health examines systemic impact of GLP-1–based therapies. UC Davis Health. December 5, 2025.
Langer HT et al. Weight loss with GLP-1 medicines does not result in a disproportionate loss of muscle mass or function in obese mice and humans. Cell Reports Medicine: Cell Press. March 17, 2026.
Strength Training for Weight Loss: Gaining Muscle and Losing Fat. University of Maryland Health System.
Neff T. Many people using GLP-1 weight loss drugs may not be eating enough nutritious food. UCHealth. May 19, 2025.
Ogilvie AR et al. Higher protein intake during caloric restriction improves diet quality and attenuates loss of lean body mass. Obesity. May 11, 2022.
Chang N. A New Way to Think About Carbs, Weight, and Obesity. Columbia Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery.
Mehrtash F et al. I Am Taking a GLP-1 Weight-Loss Medication—What Should I Know? JAMA Internal Medicine. July 14, 2025.
Despain D et al. Optimizing nutrition, diet, and lifestyle communication in GLP-1 medication therapy for weight management: A qualitative research study with registered dietitians. Obesity Pillars. October 13, 2024.
Mulcahy J et al. Transforming Care: Implications of Glucagon Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists on Physical Therapist Practice. Physical Therapy. April 30, 2025.
Griauzde DH et al. A Primary Care-Based Weight Navigation Program. JAMA Network Open. May 21, 2024.
Segal Y et al. Psychological Issues Associated With Obesity. StatPearls. May 2, 2024.
Nicholson A, ed. Mental and Behavioral Health Considerations During Obesity Treatment. Medications and Obesity: Exploring the Landscape and Advancing Comprehensive Care: Proceedings of a Workshop. October 1, 2024.
Gonzalez-Rellan MJ et al. The expanding benefits of GLP-1 medicines. Cells Report Medicine: Cell Press. July 15, 2025.

Adam Gilden, MD, MSCE

Medical Reviewer

Diplomate of American Board of Obesity Medicine Foundation

Adam Gilden, MD, MSCE, is an associate director of the Obesity Medicine Fellowship at University of Colorado School of Medicine and associate director of the Colorado University Me...

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Jessica Hicks

Author

Jessica Hicks is a writer, editor, and published research author with a background that spans traditional journalism, health tech, and the nonprofit sector. She has experience prod...

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