Approval and Benefits of Liraglutide for Weight Loss

FDA and European Medicines Agency Approval

The FDA and European Medicines Agency have recently approved Liraglutide for weight loss. This medication has shown clinical benefits in addressing weight and body shape concerns, while also enhancing feelings of fullness.

Mechanism of Action

Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, a hormone secreted by the endocrine cells in the intestines. GLP-1 plays a crucial role in regulating food intake by slowing gastric emptying and influencing appetite centers in the brain, signaling when we feel full. By reducing food intake, Liraglutide specifically targets the brain’s areas linked to appetite and reward, such as the parietal cortex, insula, putamen, and orbitofrontal cortex. Additionally, it may enhance behaviors related to appetite and eating, including dietary restraint and the management of binge eating.

Research Study Overview

Study Design and Participants

A recent study published in the journal Obesity by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania examined the effects of Liraglutide on food cravings, eating behaviors, and eating disorder psychopathology. The study involved 150 adults with obesity, defined as a BMI of 30 to 55 kg/m², aged between 21 to 70 years. Participants underwent phone and in-person screenings, including questionnaires assessing their eating habits, physical activity, and mood.

After a comprehensive medical examination, participants were prescribed diets consisting of 15-20% protein, 20-35% fat, and the remainder as carbohydrates. They were instructed to log their food and calorie intake daily and to participate in low-to-moderate intensity physical activity five times a week.

Therapeutic Interventions

Throughout the 52-week study, participants completed 21 sessions of intensive behavioral therapy (IBT) and were randomly assigned to one of three groups: IBT-alone, IBT plus Liraglutide, and a Multicomponent group (IBT plus Liraglutide plus a 12-week calorie-reduced diet). Those receiving Liraglutide began with a dose of 0.6 mg per day, which was gradually increased to a maximum of 3.0 mg per day over the course of several weeks. Participants completed the Food Craving Inventory questionnaire at the start, week 24, and week 52 to assess cravings for specific foods.

Findings on Eating Disorder Psychopathology

At the study’s onset, 8.3% of participants were in the clinical range for eating disorder psychopathology. Additionally, 52.0% reported at least one binge eating episode in the past 28 days, with 33.1% experiencing four or more episodes during the same timeframe.

Results and Implications

Impact on Food Cravings and Eating Behaviors

From week 24 to week 52, all groups demonstrated reductions in total food cravings and improvements in cognitive dietary restraint. Notably, participants in the Liraglutide groups (IBT plus Liraglutide and Multicomponent group) experienced greater declines in weight concern compared to the IBT-only group at both weeks 24 and 52. The Liraglutide groups also showed significant reductions in eating concerns at week 24, although by week 52, no significant differences were observed among the groups regarding changes in eating and shape concerns.

Conclusion on Liraglutide and Behavioral Therapy

The study concluded that Liraglutide, when combined with intensive behavioral therapy, can yield short-term improvements in weight and shape concerns for individuals with obesity. The findings suggest that this combination approach effectively helps individuals manage factors related to weight loss, including reduced food cravings, enhanced cognitive dietary restraint, fewer binge eating episodes, and lower instances of eating disorder psychopathology.

Written by P. Sukumar
Reference: Chao, AM., et al. (2019). Effects of Liraglutide and Behavioural Weight Loss on Food Cravings, Eating Behaviours, and Eating Disorder Psychopathology. Obesity.
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