Evaluating the Impact of Semiglutide on Weight Loss in Overweight Adults

Obesity is a pressing health issue. By 2030, it is estimated that nearly half of all adults in the United States will be obese. This trend has serious consequences for both physical and mental health. Obese individuals face an increased risk of conditions like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, osteoarthritis, and even depression. In this Doctor of Nursing Practice Project, I evaluated the effectiveness of a quality improvement (QI) initiative at the project site that addressed the practice problem of inadequate weight loss management caused by relying solely on diet and exercise as treatment strategies. The QI intervention included implementing the American Gastroenterological Association Clinical Practice (AGACP) Guideline recommendation of weekly semiglutide, combined with diet and exercise to improve weight loss in overweight adults aged 18 and above over 8 weeks in a primary care clinic. The sample included 50 adults aged 18 and older (N = 50). Data were collected over 8 weeks before and 8 weeks after the implementation of the intervention. Descriptive statistics and the paired t test were used to analyze the data. Before the implementation of the intervention, only 10% (n = 5 patients) lost five pounds or more. Following the implementation of the intervention, 52% (n = 26 patients) lost more than five pounds. The paired t test, t(49) = 5.29, p =.001, showed a statistically significant improvement. Clinical significance was shown by 52% of participants losing five pounds or more, suggesting that using the AGACP guideline can promote weight loss. Promoting health equity and inclusion can improve nursing practice and contribute to broader social change.