May 29, 2026 12:00:00

It has been found that people who lose weight using weight-loss drugs such as Manjaro and Ozempic have a reduced risk of obesity-related diseases.

Weight loss drugs such as

Manjaro and Ozempic are called GLP-1 receptor agonists , and in recent years, many people suffering from obesity have been trying to lose weight with these drugs. At the 33rd European Society for the Study of Obesity held in Turkey in May 2026, research results were reported showing that people who achieved weight loss using GLP-1 receptor agonists had a reduced risk of obesity-related diseases.

People who lost the most weight on Ozempic saw huge health benefits | ScienceDaily
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260518041432.htm

Weight Loss on GLP-1 Drugs Linked to Lower Risk of Disease, Study Finds : ScienceAlert
https://www.sciencealert.com/weight-loss-on-glp-1-drugs-linked-to-lower-risk-of-disease-study-finds

GLP-1 receptor agonists are medications that activate receptors for the hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) , which signals the brain that you have eaten, sending a signal to the brain that 'you have already eaten, so there is no need to eat any more.' Therefore, taking GLP-1 receptor agonists not only suppresses appetite but also promotes insulin secretion, which lowers blood sugar levels.

While Ozempic activates only the GLP-1 receptor, and Manjaro activates not only the GLP-1 receptor but also the receptor for glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) , both drugs are widely used to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes.

While it is well known that Ozempic and Manjaro are effective for weight loss, the degree of weight loss varies in actual clinical practice. Therefore, a research team from the University of Liverpool in the UK and other institutions analyzed the health records of a total of 89,718 people living in the United States who took GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic and Manjaro between January 2021 and June 2024.

The average age of the subjects at the start of treatment was 57.5 years, with an average body mass index (BMI) of 34.7, and approximately 61% of the patients had type 2 diabetes. Nearly half of all patients discontinued GLP-1 receptor agonists within one year, but these individuals were also included in the final analysis.

A one-year follow-up of participants' BMI revealed that 27% of patients experienced a BMI decrease of less than 0-5%, while 22.4% saw a decrease of 5-10%. Furthermore, 14.1% experienced a BMI decrease of 10-15%, and 15.8% achieved a significant reduction of over 15%. Interestingly, 20.8% actually gained weight compared to before treatment began.

A follow-up study over 11 months revealed that individuals whose BMI decreased by 15% or more during treatment had a 37% lower risk of osteoarthritis, a 30% lower risk of chronic kidney disease, a 69% lower risk of

obstructive sleep apnea syndrome , and a 32% lower risk of heart failure compared to subjects whose BMI decreased by 0-5% during the treatment period. All of these are diseases in which obesity negatively impacts the risk, and all except heart failure reached statistically significant levels.

On the other hand, subjects who gained weight during the treatment period had a 10% higher risk of osteoarthritis, a 14% higher risk of chronic kidney disease, a 22% higher risk of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, and a 69% higher risk of heart failure compared to subjects whose BMI decreased by less than 0-5%.

The research team concluded, 'In this real-world clinical study, half of the patients discontinued treatment with GLP-1 receptor agonists within one year of starting treatment. However, the lack of weight loss was associated with a worsening of clinical outcomes, and greater weight loss was associated with a reduced risk. These results suggest the clinical importance of achieving and maintaining weight loss after starting treatment with GLP-1 receptor agonists.'