Combining GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Health-Behaviour and Lifestyle Therapy Yields Higher Adherence and Reduces Session Needs for Successful Weight Management in Adolescence: An Observational Real-World Single-Center Study.

Lischka J, Torbahn G, Vallis M, Mörwald K, Gomahr J, Forslund A, Stenlid R, Manell H, Bergsten P, Geiersberger S, Bergauer M, Forer L and 6 more

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Lauth W, Jabbour J, Döttl L, Swittalek M, Lanzinger S, Weghuber D

Pediatric obesity1 Jun 2026

PMID42222894DOI10.1111/ijpo.70122PepBankPUB-42222894

Publisher page PubMedAsk about this study

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Summary

BackgroundEvidence for the role of health behaviour and lifestyle treatment (HBLT) on the effectiveness of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) in paediatric obesity is limited.ObjectivesTo assess the role of HBLT on the effectiveness of GLP-1RAs in youth with obesity.MethodsPatients aged 8-18 years with obesity (n = 51) receiving liraglutide were retrospectively divided into continuers (ongoing liraglutide treatment), discontinuers, or switches to semaglutide or metabolic-bariatric surgery. All were offered multidisciplinary HBLT and consecutively allocated to either high-frequency (HF) HBLT (≥ 26 contact hours/year) or low-frequency obesity medication (OM)-specific HBLT (9 contacts of 0.5 h/year).ResultsAfter 9.7 ± 6.6 months, a BMI reduction of ≥ 5% and ≥ 10% was observed in 37.3% and 13.7%, respectively. Relative change in BMI was higher in continuers compared to discontinuers (-6.7% ± 7.5% vs. -0.7% ± 5.1%, p = 0.03). Whereas 39.2% of patients continued liraglutide, 33.3% discontinued, mainly due to gastrointestinal symptoms. 27.4% of patients switched treatment to semaglutide or underwent surgery. Patients with combined HBLT and liraglutide had markedly higher odds of continuation (OR 18.5, 95% CI 2.0-929.8, p < 0.01) and greater reductions in BMI, which was by trend higher with OM-HBLT compared to HF-HBLT (BMI change -6.9% ± 7.2% vs. -4.0% ± 6.6%).ConclusionsGLP-1RAs were effective in the real-world treatment of paediatric obesity. HBLT appears to be essential to increase persistence and efficacy of GLP-1RAs.

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

Results from this study9

4 results from studies that gave the peptide. 4 results from people.

01HumanObservational studySafety outcome
In youth with obesity initially receiving liraglutide, 33.3% discontinued treatment, mainly due to gastrointestinal symptoms.
In plain wordsAmong young people with obesity initially receiving liraglutide, 33.3% stopped it, mainly because of gastrointestinal symptoms.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
Not applicableGastrointestinal symptoms causing discontinuation
Study
n = 51
Outcome group
Treatment adherence and retention · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Measurements
Discontinuation
33.3%
mainly due to gastrointestinal symptoms
Source sentences
Summary
Whereas 39.2% of patients continued liraglutide, 33.3% discontinued, mainly due to gastrointestinal symptoms.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Patients aged 8-18 years with obesity (n = 51) receiving liraglutide were retrospectively divided into continuers (ongoing liraglutide treatment), discontinuers, or switches to semaglutide or metabolic-bariatric surgery.
Summary · context
All were offered multidisciplinary HBLT and consecutively allocated to either high-frequency (HF) HBLT (≥ 26 contact hours/year) or low-frequency obesity medication (OM)-specific HBLT (9 contacts of 0.5 h/year).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4222289404
02HumanObservational studyOther
In youth with obesity initially receiving liraglutide, 27.4% switched to semaglutide or underwent metabolic-bariatric surgery.
In plain wordsAmong young people with obesity initially receiving liraglutide, 27.4% switched to semaglutide or had surgery.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
Not applicableSwitch to semaglutide or metabolic-bariatric surgery
Study
n = 51
Outcome group
Treatment adherence and retention · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Measurements
Treatment switch
27.4%
semaglutide or metabolic-bariatric surgery combined; not a semaglutide-only estimate
Source sentences
Summary
27.4% of patients switched treatment to semaglutide or underwent surgery.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Patients aged 8-18 years with obesity (n = 51) receiving liraglutide were retrospectively divided into continuers (ongoing liraglutide treatment), discontinuers, or switches to semaglutide or metabolic-bariatric surgery.
Summary · context
All were offered multidisciplinary HBLT and consecutively allocated to either high-frequency (HF) HBLT (≥ 26 contact hours/year) or low-frequency obesity medication (OM)-specific HBLT (9 contacts of 0.5 h/year).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4222289407
03HumanObservational studyOther
In youth with obesity initially receiving liraglutide, 39.2% continued liraglutide treatment.
In plain wordsAmong young people with obesity initially receiving liraglutide, 39.2% continued it.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
Not applicableContinued liraglutide treatment
Study
n = 51
Outcome group
Treatment adherence and retention · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Measurements
Continuation
39.2%
initial liraglutide cohort
Source sentences
Summary
Whereas 39.2% of patients continued liraglutide, 33.3% discontinued, mainly due to gastrointestinal symptoms.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Patients aged 8-18 years with obesity (n = 51) receiving liraglutide were retrospectively divided into continuers (ongoing liraglutide treatment), discontinuers, or switches to semaglutide or metabolic-bariatric surgery.
Summary · context
All were offered multidisciplinary HBLT and consecutively allocated to either high-frequency (HF) HBLT (≥ 26 contact hours/year) or low-frequency obesity medication (OM)-specific HBLT (9 contacts of 0.5 h/year).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4222289408
04HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome
In youth with obesity, ongoing liraglutide treatment was associated with greater relative BMI reduction than discontinuation (-6.7% plus or minus 7.5% versus -0.7% plus or minus 5.1%; P=0.03).
In plain wordsIn young people with obesity, ongoing liraglutide was linked to greater BMI reduction than stopping it.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseRelative BMI change in continuers versus discontinuers
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Discontinuers
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Measurements
BMI change
−6.7%
ongoing liraglutide; plus or minus 7.5
BMI change
−0.7%
discontinuation; plus or minus 5.1; P=0.03
Source sentences
Summary
Relative change in BMI was higher in continuers compared to discontinuers (-6.7% ± 7.5% vs. -0.7% ± 5.1%, p = 0.03).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Patients aged 8-18 years with obesity (n = 51) receiving liraglutide were retrospectively divided into continuers (ongoing liraglutide treatment), discontinuers, or switches to semaglutide or metabolic-bariatric surgery.
Summary · context
All were offered multidisciplinary HBLT and consecutively allocated to either high-frequency (HF) HBLT (≥ 26 contact hours/year) or low-frequency obesity medication (OM)-specific HBLT (9 contacts of 0.5 h/year).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4222289403

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.

05HumanNot a test of Liraglutide aloneObservational studyEfficacy outcome
In youth with obesity initially receiving liraglutide, including continuers, discontinuers and switches, 37.3% had at least a 5% BMI reduction after 9.7 plus or minus 6.6 months of follow-up.
In plain wordsAmong young people with obesity initially receiving liraglutide, including different treatment paths, 37.3% had at least a 5% BMI reduction.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseBMI reduction of at least 5%
Study
n = 51
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Measurements
BMI reduction at least 5%
37.3%
full cohort; 9.7 plus or minus 6.6 months follow-up
Source sentences
Summary
After 9.7 ± 6.6 months, a BMI reduction of ≥ 5% and ≥ 10% was observed in 37.3% and 13.7%, respectively.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Patients aged 8-18 years with obesity (n = 51) receiving liraglutide were retrospectively divided into continuers (ongoing liraglutide treatment), discontinuers, or switches to semaglutide or metabolic-bariatric surgery.
Summary · context
All were offered multidisciplinary HBLT and consecutively allocated to either high-frequency (HF) HBLT (≥ 26 contact hours/year) or low-frequency obesity medication (OM)-specific HBLT (9 contacts of 0.5 h/year).
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-4222289401
06HumanNot a test of Liraglutide aloneObservational studyEfficacy outcome
In youth with obesity initially receiving liraglutide, including continuers, discontinuers and switches, 13.7% had at least a 10% BMI reduction after 9.7 plus or minus 6.6 months of follow-up.
In plain wordsAmong young people with obesity initially receiving liraglutide, including different treatment paths, 13.7% had at least a 10% BMI reduction.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseBMI reduction of at least 10%
Study
n = 51
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Measurements
BMI reduction at least 10%
13.7%
full cohort; 9.7 plus or minus 6.6 months follow-up
Source sentences
Summary
After 9.7 ± 6.6 months, a BMI reduction of ≥ 5% and ≥ 10% was observed in 37.3% and 13.7%, respectively.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Patients aged 8-18 years with obesity (n = 51) receiving liraglutide were retrospectively divided into continuers (ongoing liraglutide treatment), discontinuers, or switches to semaglutide or metabolic-bariatric surgery.
Summary · context
All were offered multidisciplinary HBLT and consecutively allocated to either high-frequency (HF) HBLT (≥ 26 contact hours/year) or low-frequency obesity medication (OM)-specific HBLT (9 contacts of 0.5 h/year).
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-4222289402
07HumanNot a test of Liraglutide aloneObservational studyEfficacy outcome
In youth with obesity, combined health-behaviour and lifestyle therapy with liraglutide was associated with higher odds of treatment continuation.
In plain wordsIn young people with obesity, lifestyle therapy combined with liraglutide was linked to higher treatment continuation.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
IncreaseLiraglutide continuation with combined health-behaviour and lifestyle therapy
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Treatment adherence and retention · Metabolic and weight
Measurements
Odds ratio
18.5
95% CI 2.0-929.8; P<0.01
Source sentences
Summary
Patients with combined HBLT and liraglutide had markedly higher odds of continuation (OR 18.5, 95% CI 2.0-929.8, p < 0.01) and greater reductions in BMI, which was by trend higher with OM-HBLT compared to HF-HBLT (BMI change -6.9% ± 7.2% vs. -4.0% ± 6.6%).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Patients aged 8-18 years with obesity (n = 51) receiving liraglutide were retrospectively divided into continuers (ongoing liraglutide treatment), discontinuers, or switches to semaglutide or metabolic-bariatric surgery.
Summary · context
All were offered multidisciplinary HBLT and consecutively allocated to either high-frequency (HF) HBLT (≥ 26 contact hours/year) or low-frequency obesity medication (OM)-specific HBLT (9 contacts of 0.5 h/year).
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-4222289405
08HumanNot a test of Liraglutide aloneObservational studyEfficacy outcome
In youth with obesity, combined health-behaviour and lifestyle therapy with liraglutide was associated with greater BMI reductions.
In plain wordsIn young people with obesity, lifestyle therapy combined with liraglutide was linked to greater BMI reduction.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseBMI change with combined health-behaviour and lifestyle therapy
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Source sentences
Summary
Patients with combined HBLT and liraglutide had markedly higher odds of continuation (OR 18.5, 95% CI 2.0-929.8, p < 0.01) and greater reductions in BMI, which was by trend higher with OM-HBLT compared to HF-HBLT (BMI change -6.9% ± 7.2% vs. -4.0% ± 6.6%).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Patients aged 8-18 years with obesity (n = 51) receiving liraglutide were retrospectively divided into continuers (ongoing liraglutide treatment), discontinuers, or switches to semaglutide or metabolic-bariatric surgery.
Summary · context
All were offered multidisciplinary HBLT and consecutively allocated to either high-frequency (HF) HBLT (≥ 26 contact hours/year) or low-frequency obesity medication (OM)-specific HBLT (9 contacts of 0.5 h/year).
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-4222289406
09HumanNot a test of Liraglutide aloneObservational studyOther
In youth with obesity receiving combined HBLT and liraglutide, BMI reduction trended higher with OM-HBLT than HF-HBLT (-6.9% plus or minus 7.2% versus -4.0% plus or minus 6.6%).
In plain wordsAmong young people with obesity receiving lifestyle therapy with liraglutide, BMI reduction trended higher with OM-HBLT than HF-HBLT.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
Direction not reportedBMI change with OM-HBLT versus HF-HBLT
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
HF-HBLT
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Measurements
BMI change
−6.9%
OM-HBLT; plus or minus 7.2
BMI change
−4%
HF-HBLT; plus or minus 6.6
Source sentences
Summary
Patients with combined HBLT and liraglutide had markedly higher odds of continuation (OR 18.5, 95% CI 2.0-929.8, p < 0.01) and greater reductions in BMI, which was by trend higher with OM-HBLT compared to HF-HBLT (BMI change -6.9% ± 7.2% vs. -4.0% ± 6.6%).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Patients aged 8-18 years with obesity (n = 51) receiving liraglutide were retrospectively divided into continuers (ongoing liraglutide treatment), discontinuers, or switches to semaglutide or metabolic-bariatric surgery.
Summary · context
All were offered multidisciplinary HBLT and consecutively allocated to either high-frequency (HF) HBLT (≥ 26 contact hours/year) or low-frequency obesity medication (OM)-specific HBLT (9 contacts of 0.5 h/year).
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-4222289409

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.

Version 3Current
12 Oct 2026, 11:11 UTC
Study results updated
Version 2
9 Oct 2026, 03:06 UTC
Study data updated · source update from Europe PMC
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:04 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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