Twelve‐month analysis of real‐world evidence from a telehealth obesity‐treatment provider using antiobesity medications
Open accessAbstract
Objective: The objective of this study was to describe weight changes in members of a large‐scale telehealth obesity‐treatment provider who were using antiobesity medications (AOMs). Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed real‐world data from adults who initiated AOM treatment with the WeightWatchers (WW) Clinic telehealth program between January 2022 and July 2023 ( n = 53,590). The main outcomes were changes in body weight over 12 months, side effects over follow‐up, and medication usage patterns. Results: The 53,590 patients who initiated treatment were predominantly female (88.6%), with a mean BMI of 36.9 kg/m 2 . Mean (SD) treatment duration was 5.3 (4.3) months. Program retention rates based on the number of patients whose time from enrollment was at least 3, 6, 9, and 12 months were 78% ( n = 39,907/51,247), 63% ( n = 25,515/40,203), 58% ( n = 15,472/26,794), and 77% ( n = 6459/8394), respectively. Average weight loss was 8.9% at 3 months ( n = 37,565), 14.1% at 6 months ( n = 24,140), 17.7% at 9 months ( n = 15,169), and 19.4% at 12 months ( n = 6089). Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist (GLP‐1‐RA)‐based treatments were predominant. Side effects were consistent with the classes of medications used, and frequency declined over time. Conclusions: This real‐world analysis of a telehealth‐delivered obesity‐treatment program demonstrated outcomes consistent with recent phase 3 clinical trials of AOMs, suggesting generalizability beyond clinical trial and in‐person settings.
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In highly adherent patients, real-world weight reduction outcomes approach those seen in randomized controlled trials.
“The observed weight reduction in clinical practice overall tends to be lower than in randomized controlled trials; however, outcomes approach those seen in trials when focusing on highly adherent patients.”
From Real‐world evidence on the utilization, clinical and comparative effectiveness, and adverse effects of newer <scp>GLP</scp> ‐ <scp>1RA</scp> ‐based weight‐loss therapies (2025) · cites this paper as [50]
The Discussion (page not available) says this telehealth cohort achieved weight losses comparable to recent phase 3 trials, and that average losses by medication were generally consistent with or better than trial results. It does not establish that comparable outcomes were confined to highly adherent patients, or that clinical-practice outcomes overall were lower than trial outcomes. (LLM, conf=0.82)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe percentage weight reduction over typically 6-12 months of follow-up ranged from 4.8% to 21.2% for tirzepatide.
“The percentage weight reduction over typically 6–12 months of follow‐up thus ranged from 2.2% to 18.5% for liraglutide, 52 , 55 4.4% to 19.5% for semaglutide 61 , 65 and 4.8% to 21.2% for tirzepatide. 50 , 59”
From Real‐world evidence on the utilization, clinical and comparative effectiveness, and adverse effects of newer <scp>GLP</scp> ‐ <scp>1RA</scp> ‐based weight‐loss therapies (2025) · cites this paper as [50]
The Results report 21.2% average weight loss at 12 months among patients who began and ended treatment on Mounjaro (tirzepatide). Our copy does not report the 4.8% lower end of the cited range, so it supports only the upper end attributed jointly to this paper and another citation. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe weight-loss effectiveness of GLP-1RA was similar to what has been observed in trials when focusing on the subgroup of adherent patients who consistently took their prescribed GLP-1RA.
“Importantly, the weight‐loss effectiveness of GLP‐1RA was similar to what has been observed in trials when focusing on the subgroup of adherent patients who consistently took their prescribed GLP‐1RA, for example, at 12 months follow‐up, 50 , 53 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 61 whereas studies reporting results in an ‘as‐started’ approach found considerably lower effectiveness. 52 , 59 , 63 , 66”
From Real‐world evidence on the utilization, clinical and comparative effectiveness, and adverse effects of newer <scp>GLP</scp> ‐ <scp>1RA</scp> ‐based weight‐loss therapies (2025) · cites this paper as [50]
The Discussion (page unavailable) says weight losses were generally consistent with or better than clinical-trial results. The Results report 12-month weight loss for patients prescribed Mounjaro at both initiation and 12 months, but the Methods define medication status from prescriptions and refills, not verified consistent use. The paper therefore supports the trial comparison, but not the claim that it specifically concerns patients who consistently took their prescribed GLP-1RA. (LLM, conf=0.85)
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- Authors
- Ard, J. D., Hong, Y., Foster, G. D., Medcalf, A., Nadolsky, S., & Cardel, M. I.
- Affiliations
- Wake Forest University Health Sciences (US)
- University of Florida Health (US)
- WW International, Inc. (United States) (US)
- Corresponding author
- Ard, Jamy D.
- Venue
- Obesity
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2024-10-30
- Volume
- 32
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- 2246-2254
- ISSN
- 1930-7381 (ISSN-L)
- 1930-739X
- PMC
- PMC11589532
- OpenAlex
- W4403959615
- Cited by
- 18
- References
- 17
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 1
- FWCI
- 5.09
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Obesity (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology (medical) › Pharmacology and Obesity Treatment
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Bariatric Surgery and Outcomes
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
- Keywords
- obesity treatment, telemedicine, anti-obesity drugs, weight loss, GLP-1 receptor agonists, program retention, adverse drug reactions, real-world evidence
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Obesity, Retrospective Studies, Weight Loss, Body Mass Index, Telemedicine, Anti-Obesity Agents
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