Real-world effects of incretin-based Obesity medications on body composition.
Bhatti. Rahila R; Sadiya. Amena A; Mussa. Bashair M BM; Khan. Rawoof R; Abusnana. Salah S
Key Findings
- Both semaglutide and tirzepatide produced significant weight, waist, fat mass, and visceral fat loss over 12âŻmonths
- Tirzepatide achieved greater longâterm weight loss (â22% vs â12% for semaglutide)
- Lifestyle support helped preserve skeletal muscle mass despite the weight loss
- Females experienced slightly greater weight loss than males
Practical Outcomes
- Expect roughly 10% bodyâweight loss after 6âŻmonths with semaglutide and up to 22% after a year with tirzepatide, while maintaining muscle by combining the drug with resistance training and adequate protein. Tirzepatide may be the preferred option for deeper, sustained fat loss, especially for those focused on visceral fat reduction and metabolic health.
Summary
In a realâworld clinic in Dubai, people with obesity who took the GLPâ1 drug semaglutide or the newer dualâagonist tirzepatide lost a lot of weight and body fat over a year, with tirzepatide showing the biggest drop (about 22% of body weight) after 12 months. Both drugs also cut waist size, visceral fat, and improved blood sugar and liver numbers, while a supportive lifestyle plan helped keep muscle mass intact. Women tended to lose a bit more weight than men.
Abstract
This study evaluated the real-world impact of incretin-based obesity medications Semaglutide and Tirzepatide on body composition in people with obesity. The primary outcomes included changes in weight, waist circumference, skeletal muscle mass, fat mass, and visceral fat over 12 months. A retrospective observational study was conducted at Genesis Healthcare Centre, Dubai, UAE, from October 2022 to September 2024. A total of 269 adults (BMI ≥30 kg/m<sup>2</sup> or ≥27 kg/m<sup>2</sup> with obesity-related complications) who were prescribed Semaglutide or Tirzepatide as part of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary weight management program were included. Body composition was assessed using the InBody 370S analyzer. Data were extracted from the health information system. A repeated measures ANOVA was used to determine significance (p < 0.05) in the statistical analyses, which were conducted using SPSS v29. Both medications significantly reduced weight, BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, fat mass, and visceral fat (p < 0.001). At 6 months, weight loss was similar (-9.09 % vs -10.7 %), but by 12 months, Tirzepatide achieved greater reduction (22.02 % vs 11.59 %). Both improved glycemic control and liver function. Females exhibited greater weight loss. Lifestyle interventions supported skeletal muscle mass preservation. Semaglutide and Tirzepatide, significantly improved body composition, weight loss, and metabolic parameters in people with obesity. Tirzepatide demonstrated greater long-term efficacy.
Study Information
pubmed
2025
2025-11-10T00:00:00.000Z
10.1016/j.obpill.2025.100229
22