Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Perceived Eating Behaviors in Response to Stimuli

Several Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are FDA-approved for weight loss in patients with obesity primarily through targeting gastrointestinal pathways to reduce caloric intake; however, less is known about the GLP-1 receptor agonist impact on the behavioral aspects of eating. Our study investigated how patients' perceived eating behaviors evolve in response to different stimuli after initiating a GLP-1 receptor agonist. We hypothesized that participants reported eating behaviors are more in tune with their physiological cues (hunger and satiety) and less influenced by emotional, situational, and external sensory cues after starting their GLP-1 receptor agonists.

This was a survey-based cross-sectional study that included 101 participants with BMI >27 who were prescribed a GLP-1 receptor agonist medication. The survey inquired about participants' perspectives on their eating behaviors before and after starting GLP-1 receptor agonists. The survey was created through Google Forms and consisted of 31 questions in a multiple-choice format. A paired T-test was used to compare the participants' numerical scores for a given question before and after starting the GLP1 receptor agonist.

Participants reported feeling significantly more cognizant of their hunger cues and a significant reduction in the frequency with which they ate past the point of feeling full. Participants also reported a significant reduction in the frequency with which they desired to eat food in response to external sensory cues and situational cues. In addition, participants reported a significant reduction in the frequency of consuming food in excess in response to emotional cues.

Together, these results suggest that GLP-1 receptor agonists may promote substantial weight loss through improved perceived regulation of eating behavior, supporting a state in which physiological cues have a greater influence on food intake than emotional, external, sensory, and situational cues.