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Study wrapper · #1069

Nutritional intake changes during GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Quan AT, Nguyen HL, Nguyen TMT Diabetes & metabolic syndrome. 2026.

Editor's note

This systematic review and meta-analysis pools randomized and crossover trials to quantify how GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide and tirzepatide, affect measured food intake, finding a consistent reduction in acute energy intake with no heterogeneity in the primary analysis. The signal is robust for standardized meal tests but the authors caution that habitual, real-world intake is underreported and that adding an exploratory phase 1 trial introduced substantial heterogeneity. Read the results as strong evidence on short-term appetite suppression rather than long-term dietary behavior.

Plain-language abstract

This meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials found that GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide and tirzepatide, were associated with a substantial reduction in acute energy intake during standardized meal tests, roughly 271 fewer calories at an ad libitum lunch. No significant difference was seen between semaglutide and tirzepatide, and habitual real-world intake remained underreported.