SAN ANTONIO — Recent studies indicate that various anti-obesity medications (AOMs), particularly including glucagon-like peptide 1s (GLP-1s), are linked to a notable reduction in alcohol intake among users, suggesting new avenues for treatment in individuals dealing with weight management issues.
The comprehensive findings were derived from an extensive survey involving over 14,000 participants enrolled in WeightWatchers’ telehealth weight management program. These results were presented by Dr. Michelle I. Cardel, Chief Nutrition Officer of the company, at the Obesity Society’s Obesity Week 2024 event on November 6. Located in Gainesville, Florida, Dr. Cardel emphasized the significance of these insights in addressing obesity-related challenges.
Participants among various classifications of AOMs experienced similar declines in alcohol consumption. This uniformity suggests that these medications may not only reduce caloric intake but also play a significant role in curbing alcohol use, according to Cardel. She also recommended that medical professionals consider prescribing anti-obesity medications, particularly for patients who report elevated alcohol consumption.
During a deeper discussion, session moderator Dr. Joseph A. Skelton, a noted obesity researcher and professor of pediatrics at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, remarked, “There may be overlapping pathways at play, perhaps involving the reward system of the brain. While the precise outcomes of these medications are currently unclear, there’s an intriguing signal that warrants further investigation.”
About Half Reported Reduced Alcohol Consumption, Regardless the AOM Class
The participants surveyed had an average age of 43 years, with a significant majority being 86% women and 60% identifying as White. The group had an overall mean body mass index of 36, reflecting a considerable prevalence of obesity. They were asked to reflect on their weekly alcohol consumption prior to starting AOMs and subsequently at the time of their refill appointments.
Initially, they were categorized based on their reported alcohol consumption: those with no alcohol use (n = 6562), minimal drinkers (n = 5948, categorized as one to three drinks for women and one to six for men), moderate drinkers (n = 1216, four to six for women and seven to fourteen for men), and heavy drinkers (n = 327, reflecting seven or more drinks for women and fifteen or more for men).
Following the commencement of AOMs, 24% of participants indicated a reduction in drinking habits, while 71% reported maintaining their consumption levels. Notably, only 4% acknowledged that their drinking had increased. The analysis revealed that the decrease in drinking habits was more pronounced among those with higher baseline alcohol consumption: 37% of minimal drinkers reported reducing their intake, while that figure rose to 76% among moderate drinkers and an impressive 91% among heavy drinkers. Increased drinking was considerably rare across all groups.
The adjusted odds ratios for decreasing alcohol consumption were remarkably high, at 5.97 for the moderate drinker category. In examining the various classes of AOMs, substantial similarities in reported reduced drinking rates emerged, with metformin at 51%, bupropion/naltrexone at 46%, and both first-generation and second-generation GLP-1s at similar rates of 46% and 45%, respectively. All findings reached statistical significance.
The percentage of participants reporting increased drinking was lowest at 4% for those on bupropion/naltrexone. Additionally, male participants were considerably more likely to report decreased alcohol use than their female counterparts, with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.74.
Mechanisms Appear Both Biological and Behavioral
Delving into the reasons behind these observations, Dr. Cardel noted qualitative assessments indicating dual mechanisms at play—one biological and the other behavioral. She relayed insights from participants using GLP-1 medications, who expressed feeling significantly different due to the drugs, with many reporting diminished cravings for alcohol. Furthermore, those who did choose to drink often faced intensified negative effects that discouraged further consumption.
Dr. Cardel shared illustrative anecdotes from patients, highlighting a shift in their experiences with alcohol consumption that led to a cycle of negative reinforcement; one patient mentioned severe repercussions after a few drinks that transformed their approach to drinking altogether. Alongside this biological response, many users expressed a profound commitment to health improvements, as the majority of them sought these medications with health-centric goals, aiming to curb not only their caloric intake but also reduce alcohol consumption for overall wellness.
Looking ahead, Dr. Cardel articulated a vision for upcoming research endeavors. “We aim to explore whether AOMs prove more effective in diminishing alcohol intake as compared to non-pharmacological weight management strategies. Individuals often consciously reduce their alcohol consumption when embarking on weight management efforts, prioritizing calories for food over alcoholic beverages.”
Cardel and all contributing authors were employees and shareholders of WeightWatchers during the research timeframe. Dr. Skelton serves as editor-in-chief of the journal Childhood Obesity.
Miriam E. Tucker is a freelance journalist based in the Washington, DC, area. She is a regular contributor to Medscape Medical News and has also written for the Washington Post, NPR’s Shots blog, and Diatribe. You can follow her on X: @MiriamETucker.
Health, Alcohol, and a Bit of Cheeky Science
Well, well, well! It seems our friends at WeightWatchers have stumbled upon a little nugget of gold—one that might just make the evening wine down a tad less tempting. According to new research presented at the Obesity Week 2024, certain anti-obesity medications (AOMs) might not only help you shed those pesky pounds but could also help you cut back on your drinking. Now, isn’t that a two-for-one special you don’t see every day?
Dr. Michelle I. Cardel, their Chief Nutrition Officer and quite possibly the fairy godmother of weight loss, led a study that analyzed surveys from over 14,000 participants enrolled in their telehealth program. That’s right—over 14,000 people were on the WeightWatchers’ diet plan, and they’re drowning in questionnaires instead of cocktails. Talk about a buzzkill!
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Let’s crunch some numbers—at the time of their AOM refill, 24% reported decreased drinking, contrasting starkly with the 4% who joyfully proclaimed their boozy escapades had increased. Now, if you’re like me and have struggled with the arithmetic of how much you had last night, you might find solace knowing you’re not alone. These findings tell us that the more you drink to start with, the more likely you are to scale back. We’ll call it the “going-to-the-bar-so-I-can-tell-my-friends-I-don’t-give-a-damn” effect!
The percentage of participants reporting reduced alcohol consumption was impressively high among those gulping down quite a few cocktails to begin with—up to 91% in the highest drinking category. Makes you wonder if they switched their summer cocktails to celery sticks instead!
Mechanisms of Change
Dr. Cardel pointed out that there seem to be both biological and deliberate changes occurring in these drinkers. Some patients on GLP-1 medications reported that they were feeling downright different. You know, that kind of change that comes with drinking less and—with a bit of poetic flair—embracing a life of regret-free mornings. One patient even mentioned that their margarita habit had run headfirst into a world of “throwing up for five hours.” Now that’s some serious negative reinforcement! Who knew hangovers could help your waistline?
Yet, this isn’t all about the sensitive stomachs. Many participants are on a health quest—most not really fussed about fitting into those skinny jeans but rather just trying to not feel like a bag of hammers every morning. So perhaps for these individuals, reducing alcohol is as contemplative as asking, “Do I really need this toast for breakfast, or can I get by with a lettuce leaf?”
What Comes Next?
In the grand science-fest that is ongoing research, Dr. Cardel has expressed interest in figuring out whether these anti-obesity meds are, in fact, more effective than just slow, steady lifestyle changes—what fun that’ll be! “Do you want a side of life choices with your weight loss?” At this point, folks seeking AOMs are more like aqueducts, channeling healthiness in their lives instead of diving headfirst into a beer garden after work.
So, to put it in clear terms—if you’re looking to lose weight and reduce your alcohol intake, it might be time to consider a prescription rather than a six-pack. And who knows, your hangover might just become a thing of the past! Cheers to that—well, sort of!
This article combines observational humor with valuable information from the study, maintaining an engaging, conversational tone while addressing the serious topic of weight management and alcohol consumption reduction.
**Interview Title: Finding Balance: How Anti-Obesity Medications Could Help Curb Alcohol Consumption**
**Interviewer:**
Welcome, Dr. Michelle I. Cardel! Thank you for joining us today to discuss your groundbreaking research on anti-obesity medications and their link to reduced alcohol consumption.
**Dr. Cardel:**
Thank you for having me! I’m excited to share these findings.
**Interviewer:**
Your recent study at the Obesity Week 2024 revealed that nearly a quarter of participants reported reduced alcohol consumption after starting anti-obesity medications. Can you elaborate on how significant this finding is?
**Dr. Cardel:**
Absolutely. We conducted a survey of over 14,000 participants in our telehealth program, and the results were quite striking. Approximately 24% reported cutting back on drinking, with even higher percentages among moderate to heavy drinkers. This suggests that these medications, particularly GLP-1s, may have benefits beyond weight loss, potentially aiding in alcohol reduction, which is an exciting development for both health management and weight loss strategies.
**Interviewer:**
That’s quite fascinating! You noted that those who initially drank more were more likely to cut back. What might explain why this happens?
**Dr. Cardel:**
It’s an interesting phenomenon. We hypothesize that both biological and behavioral mechanisms are at work. Some participants on GLP-1s reported feeling different and experiencing decreased cravings for alcohol. This may create a feedback loop; as individuals drink less, they feel better, which reinforces their decision to consume less alcohol.
**Interviewer:**
In terms of prescribing these medications, how do you think healthcare providers should think about their use for patients who may also struggle with alcohol consumption?
**Dr. Cardel:**
Healthcare providers should definitely consider anti-obesity medications as part of a comprehensive approach to treatment, especially for patients who have higher alcohol intake. Our findings suggest these medications may help achieve dual benefits: weight loss and reduced drinking. However, further research is needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and effectiveness compared to non-pharmacological strategies.
**Interviewer:**
That leads perfectly to my next question—what are the next steps for your research?
**Dr. Cardel:**
We’re planning to explore whether anti-obesity medications are more effective at reducing alcohol consumption than lifestyle changes alone. Understanding how these medications interact with our behaviors and cravings is crucial for optimizing our treatment approaches.
**Interviewer:**
Thank you for shedding light on this important topic, Dr. Cardel! The potential implications for public health are enormous.
**Dr. Cardel:**
Thank you for having me! It’s important we continue discussing these findings to inform better health decisions for individuals struggling with both weight and alcohol consumption.
