Risk Reduction of Incretin-Based Therapies and Lifestyle Modifications

The global adult obesity rate has more than tripled since 1975, according to the World Obesity Federation (2023). The escalation of obesity represents a significant challenge for public health, with a wide range of effects on both health and the economy. For individuals who are overweight or obese, an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer exists. The cornerstone of weight management is decreasing caloric intake while increasing physical activity; incretin-based therapies, such as Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1RA) receptor agonists and Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptides (GIP) receptor agonists, have emerged as effective pharmaceuticals for improving metabolic outcomes. The efficacy of incretin-based therapies, specifically GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonists, coupled with lifestyle modifications to reduce obesity-related comorbidities, is addressed in this paper. The paper addresses how incretin-based therapies affect the risks of obesity, with a focus on diabetes and cardiovascular disease, among individuals with a BMI of 27 or higher and between the ages of 18 and 64, utilizing a PICO design. The research highlights the need to target interventions focused on reducing obesity-related complications by emphasizing the role of pharmaceuticals and lifestyle modifications to improve overall health outcomes. The results indicate that lifestyle modifications alone are less effective than incretin-based therapy combined with lifestyle modifications. Combining incretin-based therapies with diet and exercise has a more significant effect on individuals who are overweight or obese to reduce the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease than making lifestyle modifications alone. According to the World Obesity Atlas (2024), obesity rates are expected to increase by 60 percent. The anticipated increase in obesity will result in higher rates of morbidity and health-related costs, emphasizing the necessity for effective measures to address the obesity epidemic. Incretin-based therapies, along with lifestyle modifications, support weight-management strategies. Strategies to prevent the rise of obesity-related health complications are vital for public health.