Effects of Liraglutide on Energy Intake in Adolescents With Persistent Obesity After Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy

In adolescents with obesity ≥ 1-year post-vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), a pilot trial of liraglutide demonstrated a 4.3% BMI reduction. This secondary analysis evaluated energy intake changes (∆EI) and associations of ∆EI with oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) outcomes and end-of-trial liraglutide plasma concentrations.

At baseline and after 4 months of liraglutide, participants completed a standardised buffet meal following a 2-h OGTT. Liraglutide plasma area under the curves (AUCs) were quantified using LC-MS/MS.

Twenty-seven participants (18.1 ± 2.0 years; BMI: 40.4 ± 7.3 kg/m²) completed buffet meals at both visits. Mean energy intake decreased by 161.7 ± 264.3 kcal (p = 0.04) and food mass by 72.5 ± 123.4 g (p = 0.02), with proportional reductions in absolute macronutrient intake but no change in macronutrient distribution. Neither Liraglutide AUC (n = 17) nor OGTT outcomes were significantly associated with ∆EI or changes in body weight.

In adolescents post-VSG treated with liraglutide, overall food intake decreased without significant changes in macronutrient composition.