Ozempic might not work for you if you eat your feelings, researchers say
Emotional eaters less likely to lose weight on Ozempic, study suggests
- Japanese researchers suggest that Ozempic and similar weight loss drugs may be less effective for individuals who engage in emotional eating.
- Dr. Takehiro Kato theorizes that psychological factors influencing emotional eating are not directly addressed by GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy, potentially requiring additional support.
- The study found that while initial eating restraint improved, emotional eating tendencies often reappeared after approximately one year of taking the drug.
- Individuals who overate in response to appealing food, rather than emotional triggers, were more likely to achieve and maintain long-term weight loss with the medication.
- These preliminary findings, based on a study of 92 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes, have implications for millions of Americans using weight loss drugs, with obesity often linked to emotional eating.