Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: One of the objectives of weight loss in obesity is to prevent metabolic disorders. An important component in the maintenance of the achieved results is a change of eating behavior.

Goal: To study the effect of liraglutide 3.0 mg on the dynamics of metabolic parameters and eating behavior in patients with obesity.

Materials and methods: The study enrolled 42 obese patients in whom anthropometric parameters, metabolic parameters, and eating behavior were assessed with Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ). Patients were divided into 2 groups, one of which received liraglutide 3.0 mg with lifestyle modification for 3 months. The other group was recommended to receive only lifestyle modification. The participants were re-examined after 3 months.

Results of the study: In the liraglutide group in addition to a significant decrease in body weight, BMI and waist circumference, there was a statistical trend toward lower glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR levels. When comparing the dynamics of parameters between the groups, Δ body weight, BMI and glucose in the liraglutide group were significantly superior. In reassessment of eating behavior after 3 months of treatment, no statistically significant differences were found with the initial severity of restrictive, emotional, and/or external types in both groups and, despite a more pronounced decrease in body weight in the liraglutide group, between them.

Conclusions: Three months of isolated lifestyle modification and/or its combination with liraglutide 3.0 mg is not sufficient to make a lasting change in eating behavior. However, considering that obesity is a chronic and relapsing disease, the need for eating behavior correction remains relevant to prevent disease recurrence. This substantiates the need for more long-term intervention in obesity, including drug therapy.