Dietitians boost GLP-1 therapy success with personalized care and side effect management

Personalized dietary advice and visual aids from dietitians are essential for optimizing outcomes in patients using GLP-1 therapies, showing that communication and side effect management plays a vital role in sustainable weight management.

Study: Optimizing Nutrition, Diet, and Lifestyle Communication in GLP-1 Medication Therapy for Weight Management: A Qualitative Research Study with Registered Dietitians

In a recent qualitative study published in the journal Obesity Pillars, researchers explored the perspectives of registered dietitians on how they communicate with patients on obesity management medications about lifestyle, nutrition, and diet. Their findings show that comprehensive approaches that integrate visual aids, proactive side effect management, continued lifestyle counseling, and patient communication are essential to optimize treatment outcomes.

Background

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are an important advancement in treating obesity and type 2 diabetes as they increase insulin secretion after meals without triggering hypoglycemia, helping reduce appetite and consequently body weight. However, GLP-1 RA therapy has gastrointestinal side effects, including nausea, increases the risk of undernutrition, and can decrease lean body mass. There is also evidence that patients may regain weight after they stop treatment. These point to the role of effective communication between dietitians and patients to manage side effects and optimize outcomes.

About the Study

In this study, researchers investigated how healthcare professionals, especially registered dietitians, can improve patient outcomes using GLP-1 RA therapy through education on lifestyle and diet. They focused on behavioral and communication strategies that boost treatment adherence and patient engagement. The study followed a qualitative design based on semi-structured interviews. Participants included only registered dietitians recruited through social media and email. The interviews lasted between 30 and 45 minutes, with open-ended questions guiding in-depth discussions. The study did not include physicians or nurse practitioners as participants despite recruitment attempts.

Before the data were analyzed thematically, the interviews were recorded and transcribed. Any information that could be used to identify patients was removed.

Findings

The findings highlight the need for improved communication on lifestyle, diet, and nutrition for patients taking GLP-1 medication, with an emphasis on personalized care and patient understanding. Registered dietitians emphasized the importance of using visual tools, such as the “MyPlate” and “Healthy Eating Plate” models, to improve patient comprehension of portion sizes and nutrient intake. Dietitians noted that patients often do not understand how these therapies work. Existing educational materials are often inadequate, but they found that visual aids can improve awareness. Metaphors, such as referring to GLP-1 medications as “training wheels” for lifestyle changes, were also cited as helpful communication strategies. Personalized dietary advice could help patients set realistic expectations about their outcomes, as GLP-1 medications are not cure-alls, and significant lifestyle changes may be beneficial.

Respondents also highlighted the importance of managing the side effects of these medications, particularly malnutrition, diarrhea, and nausea. Since GLP-1 RAs suppress the appetite, they can lead to nutritional challenges related to protein intake and may cause nutrient deficiencies. Ongoing communication and timely dietary adjustments can reduce side effects by tailoring strategies to patients’ individual needs.

Regarding lifestyle and behavioral modification, dietitians spoke about the need to motivate patients to make these changes and the importance of integrating diet improvements and exercise with medication. Comprehensive care must also focus on mental health through approaches such as behavioral counseling. Addressing weight stigma was also highlighted as critical for helping patients adopt healthier habits without feeling judged.

The long-term effectiveness and sustainability of these therapies require the development and maintaining health habits beyond the use of medication. Dietitians stressed that long-term changes, such as maintaining hydration and preventing dehydration, are essential, especially given the appetite-suppressing effects of GLP-1 RAs.

Conclusions

The findings from this study show the importance of communication in increasing patient awareness of the value and limitations of GLP-1 RAs as tools that support lifestyle changes but that are not standalone solutions. The success of these interventions relies on the effective management of side effects and nutritional challenges. Visual aids and structured lifestyle programs play a vital role in improving patient outcomes.

Dietitians are invaluable in bridging the gap between medical treatment and behavioral health. They are in a position to offer ongoing guidance, support, and dietary counseling, managing concerns such as dehydration, decreased fiber intake, and low protein consumption. Personalized diet plans, interactive workshops, metaphors, and visual aids may improve communication and build a better understanding among patients.

An integrated care approach involving meaningful collaborations between physicians and dietitians can promote sustainable behavior change by addressing behavioral and medical health needs. A multidisciplinary approach also involves mental health professionals to address the complex needs that patients may have during their treatment.

The study acknowledges its limitations, particularly the small sample size and the exclusion of patients’ perspectives. Future studies should explore patient experiences and the role of hydration in GLP-1 RA therapy. Long-term impacts of interventions on health outcomes and patient adherence can be explored as well as the importance of hydration during GLP-1 RA therapy.