Latest news with #CatherineMetzgar
Business Wire
11-06-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
Virta Health Survey Reveals Secret to Lasting Weight Loss After GLP-1s: Users Who Follow a Guided Off-ramp are 8x More Likely to Continue Losing Weight
DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Virta Health, a leader in diabetes reversal and sustainable weight loss with a nutrition-first approach, today released a report showing that people can maintain weight loss after stopping GLP-1 medication with the right guidance and lifestyle support—challenging the belief that weight regain is inevitable. Critically, the survey found those who tapered off GLP-1s under medical guidance were eight times more likely to continue losing weight after stopping (56%), compared to the 7% who quit abruptly. In partnership with Wakefield Research, Virta surveyed 500 U.S. adults who previously used GLP-1s for weight loss and stopped taking them at least six months ago. While more than one in three (36%) experienced weight regain after GLP-1s, the data underscores that a structured and supported off-ramp makes the difference for sustaining long-term weight loss. Key findings are below and detailed in the " Virta Vitals: Life After GLP-1s" corresponding report: Guided Transitions Improve Outcomes The survey highlights a stark difference in outcomes for people transitioning off GLP-1s with professional support compared to those who do so independently, with guidance significantly improving post-GLP-1 outcomes. Encouragingly, nearly half (45%) of U.S. adults who stopped taking GLP-1s did so by gradually decreasing their dosage with guidance from a medical professional, while over one-third (36%) tapered off in combination with a specific lifestyle change or diet plan. People who tapered off under medical guidance are eight times more likely to lose even more weight after stopping (56%), compared to those who quit abruptly (7%). Even more telling: 12% of users stopped cold turkey, but among those who failed to meet their weight loss goals, that number shot up to 25%. Going it alone isn't just hard—it's risky. Lifestyle Habits Drive Lasting Results Among the users who stuck with their healthy diet changes after stopping GLP-1s, over half (51%) maintained their weight, and a remarkable 43% continued to lose even more weight, painting a positive picture for life post-GLP-1s. However, a challenge remains: only 36% of users off GLP-1s for 9 to 12 months maintained their new dietary patterns. While GLP-1s can effectively jumpstart weight loss, true, sustained success hinges on integrating and maintaining these fundamental lifestyle habits. Consumers Seek an Exit Strategy Despite pharmaceutical companies often stating these medications constitute a lifelong commitment, user behavior suggests otherwise. The survey revealed that only 26% of respondents used GLP-1s for 12 months or more. This clear preference for an off-ramp underscores the need for effective strategies to help users achieve sustainable, medication-free health. 'The doomed picture of life post-GLP-1s is a myth we're actively debunking,' said Catherine Metzgar, PhD, RD, and health coach at Virta. 'Our findings show that a personalized, nutrition-first approach, coupled with a professionally guided transition plan, can set people up to not only maintain their weight loss after GLP-1 use, but actually continue their journey. Ultimately, GLP-1s can ignite a path to durable health that lasts far beyond any prescription.' Methodology This survey was conducted by Wakefield Research on behalf of Virta Health. Virta commissioned this research to capture the perspective of 500 nationally representative U.S. adults on their experiences with GLP-1s for weight loss. The survey was fielded between March 21 and April 1, 2025, using an email invitation and online questionnaire, with adults ages 18 and older who stopped taking GLP-1 medications a minimum of six months ago. For the interviews conducted in this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 4.4 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample. About Virta Health Virta Health is a leader in diabetes reversal and sustainable weight loss. Through a combination of personalized nutrition, technology, and expert support, Virta empowers members to build longer, healthier lives—while reducing or eliminating the need for medications. Virta partners with the nation's largest employers, payers, and pharmacy benefit managers to improve the health of their members while reducing costs. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Virta's mission is to reverse diabetes and obesity in one billion people. For more information, visit
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Can a GLP-1 Shrink Your Menopause Belly? What New Science Tells Us
Menopause can bring more than just hot flashes and mood swings, it can also usher in an expanding waistline that defies diet and exercise. Known as 'menopause belly,' it's the visceral fat that begins to accumulate around a woman's waistline in midlife and is linked to deeper metabolic changes that occur as estrogen levels drop. GLP-1 receptor agonists, like semaglutide and tirzepatide, are making headlines not just for dramatic weight loss, but also by proving to help target this hormone-driven transformation. More from Flow Space Menopause and Mental Health: Coping with Mood Swings and Anxiety But can these drugs really help shrink the hormonal belly bulge? What does the latest science say about GLP-1 safety and effectiveness for midlife women? Here's what you need to know. Menopause belly refers to the increase in abdominal fat that many women experience during and after menopause. 'This shift is driven primarily by hormonal changes, specifically the decrease in estrogen,' Catherine Metzgar, PhD, RD, director of coaching operations at Virta Health, told Flow Space. 'Estrogen plays a key role in regulating body fat distribution, and when levels decline, fat tends to accumulate more viscerally which is around abdominal organs.' This is a shift from pre-menopause, when fat tends to accumulate more in the hips and thighs. Other factors that contribute include: Insulin resistance or insulin sensitivity—associated with increased fat accumulation. Muscle loss—decreases with age, less muscles results in a slow metabolism. Stress and sleep issues—increase cortisol levels, which are linked to abdominal fat storage. These metabolic shifts do have long-term impacts on our health, added Metzgar. Visceral fat is linked to an increased risk for metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Originally developed for type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 drugs mimic a gut hormone that regulates blood sugar, curbs appetite and slows digestion. This can result in a reduced appetite, improved insulin sensitivity and weight loss, specifically in visceral fat. These effects are especially relevant during menopause, when insulin resistance tends to rise and metabolism slows. 'These GLP-1 medications can help by slowing the time it takes for your stomach to empty and by making you feel fuller longer,' Dr. Brunilda Nazario, chief medical officer at WebMD told Flow Space. 'These drugs can help restore your metabolism, making it easier to lose weight and improve body shape.' And now a new study has found that GLP-1 agonist, tirzepatide, can help with overall weight loss, as well as reduce deep abdominal fat and improve key cardiometabolic markers. Physicians from New York-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine found that a primary concern for women in menopause is weight gain. In order to better understand GLP-1s efficacy for women in midlife, they conducted a secondary analysis of data from the SURMOUNT clinical trial to determine the efficacy of tirzepatide in women in the premenopausal, perimenopausal and postmenopausal stages of life. What they found was that regardless of reproductive stage, tirzepatide was associated with significant body weight, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio reductions in women living with obesity or who are overweight. Tirzepatide, like other GLP-1s, delay gastric emptying and increase feelings of fullness, which help to reduce appetite and, therefore, food intake. These medications also improve insulin response and glucose control, which also supports weight loss. 'These results are not surprising and are consistent with other research evaluating GLP-1 medications and observed weight loss,' says Metzgar. 'Therefore, the findings can likely be applied to other GLP-1 agonists beyond tirzepatide. Even the authors of the study make a similar conclusion.' The researchers found that tirzepatide worked by targeting the visceral fat in menopausal women in the same way it targets fat for other individuals who used GLP-1 drugs. They also noted that lifestyle changes, like proper diet and exercise, were also an important piece of the equation to ensure optimal results. 'Based on our research, we believe clinicians prescribing tirzepatide can feel more confident recommending the medication to their patients, especially women reporting menopause-related weight gain,' the researchers concluded. 'The data provides reassurance that this medication is effective in the setting of perimenopause and menopause.'
