On November 19, 2024 the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine (AJLM) published “Health and Well-Being Coaching Adjuvant to GLP-1 Induced Weight Loss.” This article hits close to home because it was written by four members of the extended Wellcoaches family: Margaret Moore, Pam Peeke, Neil Gordon, and Gary Sforzo. It is a very timely piece, given how quickly and recently these medications have turned the medical world upside down.
The article reminds all readers that the FDA approved these highly effective medications with the recommendation that they be taken alongside proper diet and exercise. The article also presents the shortcomings of GLP-1 prescription, recommended lifestyle changes, and health and well-being coaching (HWC) as a potential key to sustainable treatment success.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s) have very high biological activity across many organs. More to the point, GLP-1s are anti-obesity medications that can lead to weight loss of 20-25% in a very high percentage of compliant patients undergoing 1-2 years of treatment.
The primary reasons for weight loss are greater satiety and appetite suppression. Initially prescribed to treat diabetes, these meds are becoming recognized as a miracle drug that might help with an array of ailments from heart failure to mental health to alcohol abuse. More benefits are being proclaimed almost daily!
The BIG downside is the medications only work while you are on them. Meaning that if you stop taking the drug, many of the benefits, if not all, will be lost over a short time. GLP-1s are currently very expensive, may be hard to access, and can be difficult to tolerate in the long term for many patients. Examples of side effects seen with GLP-1s are:
Gastro-intestinal (most common)
Constipation, diarrhea, vomiting
Headaches, fatigue
Mood disturbance
Loss of muscle, bone density, strength, and balance
#Kidney, vision, allergic reactions (#less common)
More side effects are being proclaimed almost daily! Given these issues associated with GLP-1 use, it is not surprising that over 50% of prescriptions are terminated within the first three months. Sadly, weight regain is common once the meds are stopped!
The solution, as the FDA recommends, is to combine lifestyle change with GLP-1 prescription.
Though lifestyle change is the solution, we know how difficult it is for the average person to begin and successfully maintain healthy behavior changes such as proper diet and exercise habits.
This is when the AJLM article strongly delves into the documented benefits of HWC and how coaches can work with and help obese patients using GLP-1s. HWC is documented to help with healthy lifestyle change and to improve medication adherence.
Specifically, HWC can assist the weight loss process. The article elaborates that successful HWC treatment in obese patients is based on building a trusting relationship in a client-centered process. Using many effective and familiar coaching tools such as mindfulness, active listening, reflections, and positivity while being genuine and curious will augment success.
The point is to build self-esteem, confidence, and autonomy in patients so they create daily habits that will sustain them during use and after stopping GLP-1 medication. Further details are provided in the article. Any coach reading this, and working with an obese patient using GLP-1s, is urged to check out the full AJLM article for greater detail.
In summary, there is a great new treatment available to help patients suffering with obesity. The number of patients taking GLP-1s is growing exponentially and we will all soon know someone using these meds, if you don’t already. GLP-1s can literally be lifesaving but………… In the long-term…….GLP-1s with successful behavior change fortified by a well-trained and effective coach is the likely the best plan to treat obesity.
If you are a coach who wants to, or is working with patients prescribed GLP-1s, then watch for the upcoming Wellcoaches course offering on Obesity and GLP-1 use. The course is expected to launch in the Spring 2025 and will be delivered by highly qualified, subject-matter experts.
In conclusion, obesity and the highly related incidence of diabetes are tremendous societal health problems that are preventable and treatable. GLP-1s are FDA-approved medications that are very effective in giving patients a huge boost in fighting these life-altering and threatening diseases……. BUT, GLP-1s need help to be an effective treatment. Knowledgeable coaches who can promote appropriate behavior change and medication adherence can be essential to long-term success for these patients.
All this in combination with new opportunity for reimbursement (see previous blog) make it a great time to be a coach. If you are a health and well-being coach, you can be a vital part of this monumental health change process!!
For more details see this Reference:
Sforzo GA, Gordon NF, Peeke PM, Moore M. Health and Well-Being Coaching Adjuvant to GLP-1 Induced Weight Loss. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2024 Nov 19:15598276241302273. doi: 10.1177/15598276241302273. Epub ahead of print.
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