TOPLINE

In a survey of 52 patients in Philadelphia, nearly all had heard of GLP-1 medicines, with most recognizing their primary indications and common side effects. However, many held skewed expectations about weight loss and relied on advertisements for information. Exploratory findings also revealed a potential household "ripple effect," with GLP-1 users reporting healthier family meal habits and perceived weight loss among other adult members.

METHODOLOGY

• Despite the soaring popularity and established cardiometabolic benefits of GLP-1 medications, critical gaps remain in understanding what underserved patients know about these drugs and how their use may reshape health behaviors within their households.
• To bridge this gap, researchers posted flyers in four outpatient clinics at a North Philadelphia health system serving many medically underserved patients, directing people to an online survey. The survey ran from November 2024 to April 2025 and was open to adults who had internet and email access and could respond in English.
• The survey included 52 adults (mean age, 38.9 years; 85% women). Of these, 21 participants (40%) reported current or past GLP-1 drug use, while the rest had never used one.
• The online questionnaire asked about awareness of GLP-1 drugs, the conditions they are used to treat, their side effects, expected weight loss, understanding of how the drugs work, and sources of health information. For patients with current or previous use of GLP-1 medications, the survey also examined household ripple effects, including changes in grocery purchases, family meal dynamics, and physical activity habits.

TAKEAWAY

• Nearly all participants (98%) had heard of GLP-1 drugs. A notable proportion believed the medications could treat obesity (88%), diabetes (75%), and high blood pressure (43%). Common gastrointestinal side effects were widely recognized, including nausea and vomiting (71%), diarrhea (49%), and constipation (47%).
• Weight-loss expectations varied widely. At 3 months, most participants conservatively anticipated a weight loss of 0-25 lb. However, by 1 year, longer-term expectations diverged widely: 34% expected a loss of 50-75 lb, 30% expected 25-50 lb, and 18% expected > 75 lb. About a quarter (26%) had heard nothing about how the drugs work; among 23 participants who described their understanding, 10 mentioned reduced hunger.
• Commercials or ads were the most commonly reported sources of information (73%), outpacing healthcare professionals (63%) and mass media or social media (53%). Still, 87% preferred to receive health guidance from a clinician.
• Among 12 GLP-1 drug users living with other adults, eight believed their GLP-1 use influenced household members to think about their weight, eating habits, and physical activity, whereas five reported that at least one other adult at home had lost weight since they started these drugs. All respondents who answered the household questions reported at least one change in household meal habits.

IN PRACTICE

"Our survey highlights the potential for improved education efforts by healthcare professionals who prescribe GLP‐1 RAs [receptor agonists], as ideally all patients who have taken GLP‐1 RAs would be informed about them by their doctor," the authors wrote.

SOURCE

The study was led by Leah M. Schumacher, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, College of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia. It was published online in Obesity Science & Practice.

LIMITATIONS

The study had a small convenience sample of 52 patients drawn largely from specialty clinics, with participation falling short of expectations, possibly because of passive flyer recruitment, a modest $15 incentive, or an online-only, multi-step survey. Patients with greater knowledge of GLP-1 drugs may have been more likely to participate, limiting the generalizability of findings. Finally, every outcome, including household dietary changes and family members' weight loss, was self-reported rather than objectively measured or observed.

DISCLOSURES

The study was funded by Temple University's College of Public Health. Some authors reported meeting or travel support, editorial or committee roles, advisory-board participation, or honoraria for medical writing and educational presentations from various organizations.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.