The Claim

Liraglutide 3.0 mg daily combined with intensive behavioral therapy significantly increases the proportion of overweight or obese adults with type 2 diabetes on basal insulin who achieve a composite endpoint of both ≥5% weight loss and HbA1c <7% at 56 weeks, compared to placebo (39.0% vs. 13.9%, odds ratio 3.94, p < 0.0001).

Source: Efficacy and Safety of Liraglutide 3.0 mg in Individuals With Overweight or Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Treated With Basal Insulin: The SCALE Insulin Randomized Controlled Trial

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
87score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Cause and effect
1 study reviewed
In plain English

A daily injection of liraglutide (3.0 mg) plus intense lifestyle coaching helps more overweight adults with type 2 diabetes who already use insulin lose at least 5% of their body weight and lower their blood sugar to healthy levels within 56 weeks. In the study, 39% of those on liraglutide reached both goals, compared to only 14% on placebo.

See the scientific wording

Liraglutide 3.0 mg combined with intensive behavioral therapy enables a significantly higher proportion of overweight or obese adults with type 2 diabetes on basal insulin to achieve a composite endpoint of both ≥5% weight loss and HbA1c <7% at 56 weeks, with 39.0% of liraglutide-treated patients reaching this goal versus only 13.9% with placebo (odds ratio 3.94, p < 0.0001).

Why this might work

Liraglutide acts like a natural hormone that tells your brain you are full and slows down how fast your stomach empties food. This makes you eat less, so you lose weight. Losing weight helps lower your blood sugar. Additionally, liraglutide directly helps your body release more insulin when blood sugar is high and stops the release of glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar. Together, these actions lead to weight loss and better blood sugar control.

Supported mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study

  1. Study: Efficacy and Safety of Liraglutide 3.0 mg in Individuals With Overweight or Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Treated With Basal Insulin: The SCALE Insulin Randomized Controlled Trial

    This study tested the same medicine and conditions as the claim, and found that people on the medicine lost more weight and had better blood sugar control, so the claim is likely correct.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.