Sex Differences in the Efficacy of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists for Weight Reduction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Yang Y, He L, Han S, Yang N, Liu Y, Wang X, Li Z, Ping F, Xu L, Li W, Zhang H, Li Y

Journal of diabetes1 Mar 2025Cited by 58 (Europe PMC)

PMID40040445PMCIDPMC11880690DOI10.1111/1753-0407.70063PepBankPUB-40040445

Summary

AimTo verify sex differences of GLP-1RAs for weight reduction.MethodsWe searched RCTs reporting weight change by sex from PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials registries. Meta-regression was performed to evaluate the association between weight reduction and sex differences. Subgroup analyses were stratified by individual GLP-1RA medications, dose, treatment duration, indication, type of control, background treatment, and baseline weight. The study protocol was registered (CRD42023480167).ResultsFourteen studies covering dulaglutide, exenatide, liraglutide, semaglutide, and retatrutide were included in this study. The meta-analysis showed that females lost more weight than males (MD 1.04 kg [95% CIs 0.70-1.38]; MD 1.69% [95% CI 0.78-2.61]). The pooled results of GLP-1RAs indicated similar results (MD 0.88 kg [95% CIs 0.67-1.09]). Meta-regression illustrated that substantial weight reduction was significantly relevant to greater gender differences (β = -0.19 [95% CIs -0.29 to -0.09]). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that indications for weight reduction increased the gender difference in weight reduction (MD 4.21 kg [95% CIs 1.75-6.67]). Background treatment, dose, duration of treatment, baseline weight, and type of control had no subgroup differences in the sex difference in weight reduction of GLP-1RAs. Dulaglutide (MD 0.88 kg [95% CIs 0.63-1.12]) and semaglutide (MD 1.04 kg [95% CIs 0.45-1.63]) showed statistically significant differences in weight reduction between males and females. No gender difference was observed in the exenatide subgroup analysis.ConclusionsFemales lost more weight than males when treated with GLP-1RAs for weight reduction. The sex difference in weight reduction became more pronounced as the degree of weight reduction increased. Indications for obesity could magnify this sex difference.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study6

1 result from studies that gave the peptide. 1 result from people.

01HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In a meta-analysis of RCTs, females lost significantly more weight than males when treated with semaglutide.
In plain wordsIn a pooled analysis of trials, women lost more weight than men on semaglutide.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
Not applicableSex difference in weight reduction with semaglutide
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Males
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Measurements
Mean difference in weight loss, females vs males
1.04 kg
semaglutide
Source sentences
Summary
semaglutide (MD 1.04 kg [95% CIs 0.45-1.63]) showed statistically significant differences in weight reduction between males and females.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We searched RCTs reporting weight change by sex from PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials registries.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4004044501

Studies that did not test the peptide alone5

In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Liraglutide.

02HumanNot a test of Liraglutide aloneSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In adults treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists (liraglutide among them), females lost more weight than males (mean difference 1.04 kg and 1.69%).
In plain wordsIn adults treated with GLP-1 drugs, women lost more weight than men.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
Not applicableSex difference in weight reduction
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Measurements
Mean difference
1.04 kg
females vs males
Mean difference
1.69%
females vs males
Source sentences
Summary
The meta-analysis showed that females lost more weight than males (MD 1.04 kg [95% CIs 0.70-1.38]; MD 1.69% [95% CI 0.78-2.61]).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Fourteen studies covering dulaglutide, exenatide, liraglutide, semaglutide, and retatrutide were included in this study.
In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Liraglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4004044502
03HumanNot a test of Liraglutide aloneSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In pooled analysis of GLP-1 receptor agonists, females lost 0.88 kg more weight than males.
In plain wordsIn the pooled analysis of GLP-1 drugs, women lost more than men.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
Not applicableSex difference in weight reduction, pooled GLP-1RAs
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Measurements
Mean difference
0.88 kg
females vs males, pooled GLP-1RAs
Source sentences
Summary
The pooled results of GLP-1RAs indicated similar results (MD 0.88 kg [95% CIs 0.67-1.09]).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Fourteen studies covering dulaglutide, exenatide, liraglutide, semaglutide, and retatrutide were included in this study.
In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Liraglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4004044503
04HumanNot a test of Liraglutide aloneSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In meta-regression of GLP-1 receptor agonist trials, greater weight reduction was significantly associated with a greater sex difference.
In plain wordsIn GLP-1 drug trials, the more weight people lost, the larger the difference between women and men.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
Not applicableMeta-regression of weight reduction and sex difference
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Source sentences
Summary
Meta-regression illustrated that substantial weight reduction was significantly relevant to greater gender differences (β = -0.19 [95% CIs -0.29 to -0.09]).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Fourteen studies covering dulaglutide, exenatide, liraglutide, semaglutide, and retatrutide were included in this study.
In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Liraglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4004044504
05HumanNot a test of Liraglutide aloneSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In subgroup analysis of GLP-1 receptor agonist trials, indications for weight reduction increased the sex difference (mean difference 4.21 kg).
In plain wordsIn GLP-1 drug trials, the weight loss gap between women and men was larger when the drug was used for weight reduction.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
Not applicableSex difference in weight reduction by indication
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Measurements
Mean difference
4.21 kg
indication subgroup
Source sentences
Summary
Subgroup analysis demonstrated that indications for weight reduction increased the gender difference in weight reduction (MD 4.21 kg [95% CIs 1.75-6.67]).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Fourteen studies covering dulaglutide, exenatide, liraglutide, semaglutide, and retatrutide were included in this study.
In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Liraglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4004044505
06HumanNot a test of Liraglutide aloneSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In subgroup analyses of GLP-1 receptor agonist trials, background treatment, dose, treatment duration, baseline weight and type of control did not change the sex difference in weight reduction.
In plain wordsIn GLP-1 drug trials, the weight loss gap between women and men did not depend on dose, treatment length, weight, background treatment or control.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
No significant changeSex difference by background treatment, dose, duration, baseline weight and control type
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Source sentences
Summary
Background treatment, dose, duration of treatment, baseline weight, and type of control had no subgroup differences in the sex difference in weight reduction of GLP-1RAs.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Fourteen studies covering dulaglutide, exenatide, liraglutide, semaglutide, and retatrutide were included in this study.
In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Liraglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4004044506

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Versions 4 to 39Current
28 Oct 2026, 02:04 UTC
The same notice was added 36 times, first on 9 Oct 2026, 19:08 UTC. The status did not change between them.
Study results updated
Versions 2 to 3
9 Oct 2026, 03:06 UTC
The same notice was added 2 times, first on 9 Oct 2026, 03:05 UTC. The status did not change between them.
Study data updated · source update from Europe PMC
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:04 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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