What are GLP-1 medications?

GLP-1 medications mimic a natural hormone involved in appetite regulation and blood sugar balance.

Why are GLP-1 medications linked to weight management?

They may help some individuals feel full longer and regulate appetite, which can support weight-related care when supervised by healthcare professionals.

Are GLP-1 medications suitable for everyone?

No. GLP-1 medications are prescribed based on personal health needs and should only be used under medical guidance.

Do GLP-1 medications replace healthy lifestyle habits?

No. Balanced food habits, movement, sleep, and stress care still play essential roles in long-term wellness.

Do GLP-1 medications have side effects?

Like all medications, GLP-1 treatments may have side effects or interactions. A healthcare professional should evaluate personal health conditions before use.

GLP-1 drugs impact on healthcare market and policy landscape in 2026

Clinical Evidence | Market Impact | Risks & Ethics | Future Outlook

If you and I look honestly at what’s happened over the past few years, the rise of GLP-1 drugs stands out as one of the fastest shifts modern medicines have ever seen. This wasn’t driven by hype alone. It was driven by visible weight-loss results, relentless media exposure, and a healthcare system that suddenly made these treatments easier to access.

By 2026, GLP-1 medications have moved far beyond their origins as specialist diabetes therapies. They now sit at the center of medical practice, healthcare economics, and public conversation. What once focused narrowly on blood sugar control is now reshaping how doctors, patients, and health systems approach obesity, metabolic disease, and long-term risk reduction.

Between 2020 and 2025, the transition was strikingly rapid. GLP-1 receptor agonists shifted from niche clinical use to mainstream awareness in just a few years. Medications like semaglutide—marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy by Novo Nordisk—and tirzepatide—sold as Mounjaro and Zepbound by Eli Lilly—demonstrated substantial, measurable weight loss alongside metabolic benefits. Clinicians began prescribing more broadly. Patients began asking for them directly.

By 2026, GLP-1 therapies are no longer confined to endocrinology clinics. They appear across primary care, telehealth platforms, metabolic health clinics, and public health policy debates. Prescription volumes and revenues have climbed into historic territory, while public awareness has reached a level rarely seen for prescription drugs.

This article takes a clear, evidence-based look at the GLP-1 era as it stands in 2026. We’ll examine how adoption accelerated so quickly, the forces driving continued demand, what clinical evidence really shows, who benefits most, where access and equity challenges remain, the risks and controversies still being debated, the broader economic ripple effects, and what the next few years are likely to bring.

GLP-1 Drugs — Quick Explainer (2026)

Originally developed for type 2 diabetes management
Help regulate appetite, satiety, and blood sugar
Produce clinically meaningful weight loss for many users
Typically require ongoing use for sustained benefits
Not a substitute for healthy eating, movement, and behavior change

Scale, Speed & Systemic Impact — GLP-1s in 2026

By 2026, GLP-1 therapies are no longer a fast-growing drug class—they have become a defining force in global healthcare.

Population-level adoption at historic scale:

What began as a specialist-prescribed therapy has now reached the general population at unprecedented speed. By 2026, nearly one in five U.S. adults has tried a GLP-1 medication, and roughly one in eight remains an active user. For a prescription class addressing chronic metabolic disease, this level of real-world penetration is virtually unmatched in modern medicine.

Prescription momentum with no historical parallel:

Prescription data through late 2025 into 2026 show GLP-1 drugs accounting for a meaningful share of all outpatient prescriptions, with continued double-digit growth even after the initial surge years. Unlike typical pharma cycles—where growth peaks and stabilizes—GLP-1 demand has remained structurally strong, driven by expanding indications, improved formulations, and rising physician confidence.

Revenue growth at “mega-blockbuster” scale:

By 2026, GLP-1 therapies have moved beyond blockbuster status into an entirely new revenue tier. Leading molecules are now generating tens of billions of dollars annually, positioning the GLP-1 category as the highest-grossing drug class globally. Industry forecasts consistently place the total GLP-1 market above the $100-billion threshold, with sustained high-teens growth expected through the decade.

From injections to ecosystems:

A major inflection points in 2025–26 has been the transition from injectable-only treatments to oral and next-generation delivery formats. This shift has significantly lowered adoption barriers, expanded access beyond early adopters, and accelerated uptake among working adults, older populations, and cost-sensitive patients.

A rare three-layer growth engine:

What makes the GLP-1 expansion exceptional is that it is advancing on three fronts simultaneously:

Clinical: Physicians are prescribing earlier, broader, and for longer durations
Commercial: Manufacturers are scaling production, supply chains, and global reach
Cultural: Public perception has shifted from “weight-loss drug” to long-term metabolic health tool

This convergence is rare—and powerful.

The structural takeaway:

GLP-1 therapies in 2026 represent more than pharmaceutical success. They mark a system-level redefinition of how obesity, diabetes, and cardiometabolic risk are managed, with ripple effects across healthcare costs, insurance models, food systems, and long-term population health outcomes.

In short, GLP-1s are no longer riding a trend—they are reshaping the healthcare landscape itself.

Why Did GLP-1 Drugs Grow So Fast?

The rapid rise of GLP-1 medications was not accidental. It was driven by a rare alignment of clinical effectiveness, regulatory momentum, cultural visibility, and modern care delivery.

1) Clear, visible clinical results

GLP-1 and dual GIP/GLP-1 therapies deliver clinically meaningful weight loss alongside improved glycemic control. Unlike many chronic treatments, their effects are highly visible and objectively measurable. This visibility fuels patient confidence, accelerates word-of-mouth referrals, and sustains continuous media attention—an uncommon advantage in prescription medicine.

2) Regulatory expansion unlocked a much larger market

Regulatory approvals and label expansions—especially for obesity beyond diabetes—dramatically widened the eligible patient population. Once obesity was formally recognized and approved as a treatment indication, demand shifted from off-label curiosity to legitimized, guideline-supported care, opening access to millions of new patients.

3) Cultural amplification and high-profile exposure

Celebrity disclosures, influencer testimonials, and social-media “before-and-after” narratives amplified public awareness at unprecedented speed. These stories reframed GLP-1 drugs from niche medical tools into mainstream health solutions, driving curiosity, social validation, and patient-initiated conversations with clinicians.

4) Continuous innovation and competitive momentum

The arrival of next-generation molecules, including dual- and multi-action therapies, intensified interest across both clinical and consumer audiences. A visible pipeline signaled that GLP-1s were not a one-product trend but a rapidly evolving therapeutic platform, encouraging clinicians and patients to explore newer options and alternatives.

5) Aggressive commercialization and new access models

Direct-to-consumer education, digital clinic networks, and telehealth-based prescribing significantly reduced friction. Even in markets with limited insurance coverage, private-pay and subscription models enabled faster adoption, especially among motivated patients unwilling to wait for reimbursement pathways to catch up.

6) Post-pandemic shifts in healthcare behavior

The COVID-19 era permanently altered care delivery. Expanded telemedicine access and heightened awareness of metabolic risk as a driver of severe disease pushed weight management and glucose control higher on public and clinical priority lists. GLP-1 therapies emerged at exactly the right moment to meet this shift.

The core insight

GLP-1 drugs didn’t grow fast because of hype alone. They grew fast because results were visible, access expanded, culture amplified demand, and healthcare systems adapted simultaneously. That convergence is rare—and it explains why the GLP-1 surge has proven durable rather than fleeting.

What Does the Clinical Evidence Say About GLP-1 Drugs?

The clinical evidence supporting GLP-1 therapies is both extensive and unusually consistent across study designs.

Robust efficacy across trials and real-world data

Large randomized controlled trials, alongside real-world observational studies, have repeatedly demonstrated clinically meaningful weight loss with GLP-1 and dual-action therapies compared with placebo and many older pharmacologic options. While outcomes vary by baseline body weight, dosage, treatment duration, and adherence, a substantial proportion of patients achieve double-digit percentage weight reduction when these medications are used at approved obesity doses and combined with structured lifestyle support.

Importantly, these effects extend beyond the scale. Trials also show improvements in glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and key cardiometabolic markers, reinforcing that the benefits are metabolic—not merely cosmetic.

Durability and variability of response

Not all patients respond equally. Some experience moderate weight loss, while others show pronounced and sustained reductions over longer treatment periods. This variability highlights the importance of patient selection, dose escalation, and long-term follow-up, rather than one-size-fits-all prescribing.

Safety profile: well-characterized, but still evolving

Across trials and post-marketing surveillance, GLP-1 drugs show a generally predictable safety profile. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal—nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and early satiety—and are typically dose-related and transient. Serious adverse events remain rare and closely monitored, particularly in long-term studies and registries.

Open questions remain

While evidence strongly supports GLP-1 use for approved indications, long-term outcomes in widespread cosmetic or off-label use are still being studied. Ongoing research is focused on treatment duration, discontinuation effects, and the balance between sustained benefit and long-term safety at population scale.

Clinical takeaway

From an evidence standpoint, GLP-1 therapies represent one of the most rigorously validated pharmacologic advances in obesity and metabolic care to date. Their effectiveness is real, measurable, and reproducible—yet optimal use depends on appropriate indication, medical supervision, and long-term strategy, not short-term expectations.

Who’s Using GLP-1s — and for What?

GLP-1 use today spans multiple patient groups, reflecting both legitimate medical need and broader lifestyle-driven demand.

People with type 2 diabetes — the early adopters

Patients with type 2 diabetes were the first widespread users of GLP-1 therapies. For this group, the primary goals are improved glycemic control, weight reduction, and lower cardiovascular risk. Clinical guidelines and long-term outcome data strongly support use in this population, making it the most evidence-established segment.

People with obesity and related conditions — the fastest-growing group

GLP-1 prescribing has expanded rapidly among individuals with obesity and obesity-related comorbidities, particularly when patients meet BMI thresholds and clinical criteria. In this setting, GLP-1s are increasingly viewed as chronic disease management tools, not short-term weight-loss aids, especially when paired with lifestyle and behavioral support.

Younger adults and cosmetic-driven users — the emerging edge case

A newer and more controversial cohort includes younger adults seeking aesthetic or appearance-focused weight loss, often through off-label prescribing. This trend has been amplified by private clinics, telehealth platforms, and direct-to-consumer programs that market convenience and rapid results. While some users meet medical criteria, others fall outside traditional guideline-based use.

Age demographics are shifting

Survey and claims-based datasets reveal notable uptake among adults aged 18–39 in certain markets. This signals that interest in GLP-1s is no longer confined to older patients with long-standing metabolic disease. Instead, it reflects a broader cultural shift toward early intervention, body-weight optimization, and preventive health—sometimes blurring into cosmetic intent.

Key insight

GLP-1 use now exists on a spectrum—from evidence-driven metabolic care to consumer-influenced weight management. This diversity explains both the drugs’ explosive growth and the ongoing debate around access, appropriateness, and long-term impact.

How Are GLP-1 Drugs Impacting the Healthcare Market? (2026 Perspective)

By 2026, GLP-1 drugs have shifted from a disruptive innovation to a structural force within global healthcare systems. Their impact is now visible across supply chains, insurance economics, clinical practice, and multiple downstream industries.

Supply & pricing dynamics — stabilization, not resolution

After the acute shortages of 2022–2024, large-scale manufacturing expansions and global capacity investments began to show results. By 2026, supply has largely stabilized for major branded GLP-1 products in high-income markets. However, demand continues to outpace affordability. Pricing pressure remains intense, especially outside the U.S. and Europe, and debates persist around equitable access, regional allocation, and the role of compounding and alternative formulations.

In short: availability improved, but price remains the primary bottleneck.

Insurance & access — the defining policy battleground

By 2026, insurers and public payers are no longer debating whether GLP-1s work, but who should pay for them, and for how long. Coverage policies remain fragmented. Many patients still rely on out-of-pocket or hybrid payment models, while insurers increasingly restrict coverage to patients meeting stricter BMI and comorbidity thresholds.

At the same time, payers are actively modeling long-term cost offsets—including reduced diabetes complications, cardiovascular events, and disability—setting the stage for gradual but selective expansion of coverage rather than universal access.

Healthcare delivery — primary care takes the lead

GLP-1 management in 2026 is firmly embedded in primary care, no longer confined to endocrinology clinics. Physicians are increasingly trained to manage dosing, side effects, and long-term maintenance. Parallel to this shift, specialized metabolic-health clinic networks have matured, blending pharmacotherapy, nutrition, behavior change, and remote monitoring into subscription-based care models.

This evolution has also altered treatment pathways, contributing to more selective use of bariatric surgery for certain patient groups rather than wholesale replacement.

Economic ripple effects beyond healthcare

By 2026, the downstream impact of GLP-1s is unmistakable. Apparel sizing, cosmetic procedures, fitness programming, and wellness services are adapting to sustained population-level weight changes. Even food, beverage, and consumer packaged goods industries are beginning to reassess portioning, demand patterns, and product positioning in response to altered eating behavior among GLP-1 users.

2026 market takeaway

GLP-1 drugs are no longer just reshaping treatment—they are forcing healthcare systems, insurers, and entire consumer ecosystems to recalibrate. The central challenge in 2026 is not clinical validation, but sustainable access, cost control, and long-term integration into chronic care models.

This is what it looks like when a drug class crosses the line from innovation to infrastructure.

GLP-1 vs Lifestyle-Only Weight Loss — What’s the Real Difference? (2026 View)

If we’re being honest—you and I—most people aren’t chasing shortcuts.
They’re chasing results that actually last.

That’s why it matters to clearly understand how GLP-1 medications compare with lifestyle-only approaches like diet, exercise, and behavior change—without hype, guilt, or false promises.

Below is a clear, realistic comparison grounded in clinical reality.

Aspect	GLP-1 Medications	Lifestyle-Only Approach
Speed of weight loss	Faster and more noticeable in the first months	Gradual, often slower
Medical supervision	Required (prescription + monitoring)	Optional
Sustainability	Strong when part of a long-term plan	Depends heavily on habit consistency
Cost	High; often partially or fully out-of-pocket	Low to minimal
Health impact	Powerful metabolic and appetite regulation	Broad, whole-body wellness benefits
Risk profile	Possible side effects; requires oversight	Low risk when done correctly

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What this really means for you

GLP-1 medications can accelerate weight loss and break long-standing plateaus, especially for people living with obesity, insulin resistance, or metabolic disease. For many, they succeed where years of effort alone did not—not because of weakness, but because biology matters.

That said, GLP-1s are not magic replacements for healthy habits. Without nutrition, movement, sleep, and behavior change, results are harder to maintain over time.

Lifestyle changes may be slower—but they remain the foundation of long-term health, whether medication is used or not.

🔑 Bottom line (2026 reality)

The most successful, durable outcomes don’t come from choosing medication or lifestyle.

They come from medical treatment and healthy habits working together, reinforcing—not competing with—each other.

That’s not a shortcut.
That’s strategy.

Controversies, Risks, and Ethical Questions (2026 Perspective)

As GLP-1 therapies become deeply embedded in mainstream care, their rapid expansion has surfaced complex clinical, ethical, and policy challenges that extend beyond individual weight loss.

Off-label use and equity concerns

The surge in demand for cosmetic or appearance-driven weight loss has raised legitimate fairness questions. When supply or coverage is constrained, critics ask whether access is being skewed toward higher-income, self-pay consumers, potentially diverting treatment away from patients with clear medical indications such as diabetes or severe obesity. This tension has sharpened debates around ethical prescribing, prioritization criteria, and equitable allocation.

Long-term safety — what we know and what remains uncertain

Short- and medium-term trial data, along with real-world evidence, are broadly reassuring for metabolic outcomes. However, by 2026 it is widely acknowledged that decades-long safety data do not yet exist, particularly for chronic, non-medical or cosmetic use. Ongoing surveillance continues to evaluate potential risks related to gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, gastrointestinal effects, and nutrient absorption, underscoring the need for cautious, medically supervised use.

Behavioral and psychological dimensions

Rapid and substantial weight loss can carry emotional and psychological consequences. Clinicians increasingly recognize that effective GLP-1 management must consider body image, self-perception, disordered eating risk, and broader psychosocial context. Weight loss achieved quickly, without adequate support, may amplify anxiety or unrealistic expectations—making integrated behavioral care an essential component rather than an optional add-on.

Health-system prioritization and public spending

At the system level, GLP-1s force difficult choices. Policymakers and insurers face the challenge of balancing direct clinical benefits for individuals against population-level preventive strategies, especially within limited public health budgets. The central question is not whether GLP-1s are effective—but how, when, and for whom they should be funded to maximize long-term health equity and sustainability.

Ethical takeaway (2026)

The GLP-1 debate is no longer about efficacy alone. It is about fair access, responsible prescribing, long-term safety, and the values guiding healthcare allocation. How these questions are answered will shape not just who receives these drugs—but what kind of health system emerges in their wake.

Business and Policy Landscape (2026 Perspective)

GLP-1 Boom: How Fast It's Changing Medicine — and Weight Loss

By 2026, GLP-1 therapies sit at the intersection of pharmaceutical strategy, capital markets, and public health policy—forcing long-term recalibration across all three.

Pharmaceutical strategy — scaling for permanence, not hype

Leading pharmaceutical companies have committed multi-year, multi-billion-dollar investments to expand manufacturing capacity, secure supply chains, and accelerate global launches. What began as a response to shortages has evolved into infrastructure built for sustained, chronic-use demand. The strategic signal is clear: GLP-1s are no longer treated as a transient blockbuster, but as a foundational revenue pillar for the next decade.

Investor and market expectations — a new revenue class

Capital markets have adjusted accordingly. By 2026, investors and analysts largely view GLP-1s as a distinct “mega-blockbuster” category, reshaping earnings forecasts, valuation models, and long-term growth assumptions across the pharmaceutical sector. Expectations have shifted from short-term sales spikes to durable, annuity-like revenue streams, reflecting chronic use and expanding indications.

Policy pressure — affordability and allocation under scrutiny

At the same time, policymakers and payers face mounting pressure. The core policy challenge is no longer clinical validation, but affordability at population scale. Governments and insurers are grappling with how to fund high-cost therapies for widespread chronic conditions without crowding out other essential health services.

Evidence-driven policy debates

In response, several high-profile policy analyses, health-technology assessments, and cost-effectiveness studies have emerged. These evaluations explore not only direct clinical outcomes, but also long-term economic trade-offs, potential savings from reduced disease burden, and models for equitable distribution. The debate increasingly centers on targeted coverage, phased access, and outcomes-based reimbursement rather than universal, unrestricted funding.

Strategic takeaway (2026)

The GLP-1 landscape has matured into a high-stakes balancing act. Pharma companies are building for scale and longevity, investors are pricing in structural growth, and policymakers are forced to reconcile innovation with equity and fiscal reality.

How these tensions are resolved will shape not only the future of GLP-1s—but the blueprint for funding high-impact therapies in the years ahead.

Practical Takeaways for Clinicians and Patients (2026 Guidance)

As GLP-1 therapies move into routine care, success increasingly depends not on whether they are prescribed, but how thoughtfully they are used.

For clinicians

Effective GLP-1 prescribing in 2026 requires a structured, patient-centered approach. Clinicians should:

Screen carefully for appropriate indications and contraindications, including metabolic status, comorbidities, and prior treatment history.
Set realistic expectations by counseling patients on likely benefits, typical timelines for weight and glycemic changes, and the variability of individual response.
Proactively manage side effects, particularly gastrointestinal symptoms, through dose titration, dietary guidance, and follow-up.
Integrate lifestyle interventions—nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and behavioral support—rather than positioning medication as a standalone solution.
Monitor longitudinally, assessing adherence, metabolic markers, psychological well-being, and the long-term plan for maintenance or discontinuation.

For patients

For many people, GLP-1 treatments can be a powerful tool—but they work best when approached with clarity and commitment:

GLP-1 medications can support meaningful, sustained weight loss and improved diabetes control, especially when other approaches have not worked.
Treatment requires ongoing medical supervision, not self-directed or cosmetic use without guidance.
Side effects are common early on and should be discussed openly rather than ignored.
Results are most durable when paired with healthy eating, regular movement, and realistic long-term planning, not short-term expectations.

Shared takeaway

GLP-1s are neither shortcuts nor silver bullets. In 2026, they are best understood as one component of integrated, long-term metabolic care—most effective when clinicians and patients work together with clear goals, ongoing monitoring, and mutual accountability.

Near-Term Outlook: What to Expect Over the Next 2–5 Years (2026–2031)

Looking ahead, the trajectory of GLP-1 therapies appears strong—but increasingly shaped by policy, pricing, and evidence rather than hype alone.

Sustained demand, with tighter guardrails

Demand for GLP-1s is expected to remain robust as obesity and metabolic disease prevalence continues to rise. However, growth will likely be tempered by supply planning, pricing reforms, and stricter coverage criteria, particularly from insurers and public health systems seeking cost control. The era of unrestricted expansion is giving way to more managed, policy-driven adoption.

Rising competition and broader therapeutic choice

The next few years will bring greater competition, including oral formulations and next-generation multi-action molecules. If these therapies are priced strategically and launched globally, they could meaningfully broaden access beyond early adopters and high-income markets. Competitive pressure may also begin to moderate pricing and diversify treatment pathways.

Clearer long-term evidence base

Perhaps most importantly, the evidence landscape will mature. Ongoing large registries, post-marketing surveillance, and long-duration clinical trials are expected to deliver clearer answers on long-term safety, durability of weight loss, cardiovascular outcomes, and optimal treatment duration. These data will increasingly guide clinical guidelines, payer decisions, and public trust.

Forward-looking takeaway

Over the next 2–5 years, GLP-1s are likely to transition from a phase of rapid expansion to one of evidence-anchored consolidation—with demand remaining high, access shaped by economics, and clinical use refined by stronger long-term data.

This period will determine whether GLP-1 therapies become universally integrated tools of chronic care—or selectively deployed, high-impact interventions.

Should You Consider a GLP-1 Medication?

GLP-1 medications can be an effective option for some people—but they are not a universal solution, and they are not right for everyone.

In 2026, clinical consensus is clear: GLP-1 drugs may be appropriate for individuals living with type 2 diabetes, obesity, or obesity-related metabolic conditions, particularly when lifestyle efforts alone have not delivered adequate results. For these patients, GLP-1s can support meaningful improvements in weight, blood sugar control, and overall metabolic health.

However, starting a GLP-1 medication should never be a casual or purely cosmetic decision. A qualified healthcare professional must first evaluate:

Your medical history and current health status
Potential benefits versus risks, including side effects
Whether you meet clinical indication criteria
Your long-term plan for monitoring, lifestyle support, and maintenance

Just as importantly, patients should approach treatment with realistic expectations. GLP-1s work best as part of a long-term care strategy, not as a short-term fix.

Clear takeaway

If you’re considering a GLP-1 medication, the right next step isn’t a prescription—it’s a thoughtful medical conversation. The goal is not just weight loss, but safe, sustainable improvement in health, guided by professional care and informed decision-making.

FAQs — GLP-1 Medications (2026)

Q: Are GLP-1 drugs safe long-term?

A: Short- and mid-term safety is well established for approved, labeled use, supported by large trials and real-world data. However, long-term safety for widespread cosmetic or off-label use is still being studied. Ongoing registries and extended trials over the next several years will provide clearer answers.

Q: Will insurers pay for GLP-1 treatment?

A: Coverage varies widely. Some insurers cover GLP-1s for obesity or diabetes under strict eligibility criteria, while many users—especially those seeking weight loss—continue to pay partially or fully out-of-pocket. Coverage policies are evolving as payers assess long-term cost-effectiveness.

Q: Will GLP-1 prices come down?

A: Increased competition, new formulations (including oral options), and expanded manufacturing could moderate prices over time. However, global affordability and access will ultimately depend on payer decisions, policy frameworks, and production scale, not competition alone.

Quick takeaway

GLP-1s are clinically validated, economically complex, and still evolving. Safety evidence is strong where approved, access remains uneven, and pricing will be shaped as much by policy as by innovation.

Concise Conclusion

In just a few years, GLP-1 medications have moved from specialist-prescribed therapies to globally visible, widely debated treatments. Their unusually rapid rise—powered by strong clinical efficacy, intense media attention, and aggressive commercial scale-up—ranks among the fastest expansions seen for any modern drug class.

That speed has delivered life-changing benefits for many patients, while simultaneously exposing real challenges around access, affordability, and equity. Beyond individual weight loss or glucose control, GLP-1s are now generating clinical, economic, and social ripple effects that will continue to shape healthcare systems, policy decisions, and patient expectations throughout the coming decade.

Disclaimer

This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. GLP-1 medications should be used only under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional, based on individual medical evaluation and long-term care planning.

GLP-1 Boom: How Fast It's Changing Medicine — and Weight Loss