GLP-1 receptor agonist and incretin-based therapies combined with lifestyle interventions are associated with an average reduction of 9.53 percentage points in body weight among adults with overweight or obesity, a finding consistent with kilogram-scale results but analytically distinct due to differences in measurement scale and clinical interpretation.

A hormone-like drug binds to receptors in the brain and stomach, making the person feel full sooner and stay full longer, which reduces food intake. The stomach empties more slowly, keeping food in longer and further reducing hunger. At the same time, the body shifts from burning sugar to burning fat for energy, especially when calories are low, which breaks down fat stores more efficiently and prevents the metabolism from slowing down too much.