Photo Credit: Freepik

The following is a summary of “Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Perceived Eating Behaviors in Response to Stimuli,” published in the May 2025 issue of Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity by Cheney et al. 

Several FDA-approved glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists have been used for weight loss in individuals with obesity by targeting gastrointestinal pathways to reduce caloric intake, though the effects on eating behaviors remained less understood.  

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to examine how individuals perceived eating behaviors changed after initiating a GLP-1 receptor agonist, hypothesizing greater alignment with physiological cues and reduced influence from emotional, situational, and external sensory factors.  

They carried out a survey-based cross-sectional study involving 101 participants with a BMI greater than 27 who had been prescribed a GLP-1 receptor agonist medication. The survey asked individuals to reflect on their eating behaviors before and after starting the GLP-1 receptor agonist. It was developed using Google Forms and included 31 multiple-choice questions. A paired T-test was applied to compare participants’ numerical responses before and after initiation of the GLP-1 receptor agonist.  

The results showed that participants became significantly more aware of their internal hunger cues after starting GLP-1 receptor agonists. There was a notable decrease in how often individuals continued eating beyond the point of fullness. Reports also indicated a marked decline in the tendency to eat in response to external sensory cues and situational triggers. Additionally, participants experienced a significant drop in the frequency of overeating driven by emotional factors.  

Investigators concluded that GLP-1 receptor agonists likely facilitated significant weight loss by improving the perceived regulation of eating behavior, prioritizing physiological cues over emotional, external, sensory, and situational influences on food intake. 

Source: dovepress.com/impact-of-glp-1-receptor-agonists-on-perceived-eating-behaviors-in-res-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-DMSO