GLP-1 Treatment in Obesity: Addressing Weight Regain After Withdrawal and Strategies for Long-Term Success

The field of obesity management has been significantly advanced by the introduction of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), which have proven highly effective in facilitating weight loss and improving metabolic outcomes in individuals with obesity. Despite these remarkable achievements, a growing body of research demonstrates that weight regain is common following the discontinuation of GLP-1-based therapies. This raises pressing concerns about the durability of treatment effects, especially as most healthcare policies only support limited periods of GLP-1 RA reimbursement. The challenge of maintaining weight loss after treatment cessation has thus become a prominent issue, requiring fresh perspectives on both the biological drivers and the practical solutions for long-term patient success.Recent studies have illuminated several contributing factors to post-GLP-1 weight regain, including physiological adaptations, hormonal changes, and neurobiological mechanisms that favor energy conservation and increased appetite. Additionally, real-world evidence is emerging on the variability of individual weight trajectories, suggesting that patient-specific factors and external influences play a critical role in long-term outcomes. While adjunct interventions—including pharmacological, behavioral, and lifestyle modifications—are gaining research attention, there remains a substantial gap in understanding how to translate these insights into effective, personalized care pathways that can counteract weight regain after therapy withdrawal.This Research Topic aims to bring together cutting-edge research, systematic reviews, and comprehensive analyses to clarify the underlying mechanisms of weight regain after GLP-1 discontinuation and to evaluate both established and emerging strategies for long-term weight maintenance. Our objective is to foster a dialogue that advances scientific understanding and guides practical, policy, and clinical decision-making for sustainable obesity treatment beyond GLP-1 therapy.To gather further insights in the realm of post-GLP-1 obesity management and relapse prevention, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Mechanistic studies on physiological and metabolic adaptations that drive weight regain following GLP-1 withdrawal- Hormonal and neurobiological factors influencing appetite regulation after therapy cessation- Real-world, longitudinal data on weight and metabolic outcomes post-treatment- Evaluation of adjunct pharmacotherapies, behavioral, dietary, psychological, exercise-based, and microbiome-modulating interventions designed to support weight maintenance- Clinical and policy frameworks for individualized long-term patient care, including cost-effectiveness, access, and ethical considerations surrounding ongoing or repeated pharmacological therapiesPapers that will not be considered include meta-analyses, network analyses, and bibliometric analyses. Case reports will generally not be considered unless they represent breakthrough mechanisms in weight regain, supported by pathophysiological studies.Topic Editor Prof. Zoltan Pataky has received funds from Novo Nordisk for clinical trials related to GLP-1 analogues in obesity. The other Topic Editor Dr. Jorge C Correia declares no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject. Topic editors: Jorge César Correia, Zoltan Pataky Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80115/glp-1-treatment-in-obesity-addressing-weight-regain-after-withdrawal-and-strategies-for-long-term-success