GLP-1 Analogues

Nutrition during treatment

Reduced appetite does not make nutrition less important. The aim is healthy weight management through adequate, balanced eating.

• Include appropriate protein sources such as fish, eggs, pulses and other suitable options.
• Support dietary variety with vegetables, whole grains and an appropriate fluid intake.
• With kidney disease, diabetes or another condition, agree dietary amounts with your clinician and dietitian.

Lean tissue loss and preserving muscle strength

Weight reduction can involve loss of lean tissue as well as fat. Lean mass is not solely muscle, so a measured reduction does not by itself establish muscle wasting or sarcopenia.

Inadequate nutrition, insufficient protein and inactivity can make preserving muscle strength more difficult. Monitoring is particularly important in older adults, people with existing weakness or rapid weight loss. This should not be presented as an inevitable medication complication.

• Follow-up should assess nutritional adequacy, strength and daily function, not weight alone.
• Alongside walking, appropriate resistance exercise forms part of a muscle-strength preservation plan.
• Report new or worsening weakness, difficulty climbing stairs or reduced daily function.

Plan walking alongside resistance exercise

Regular walking helps increase daily movement. Preserving strength may also require muscle-strengthening activities adapted to individual capacity.

• Increase activity gradually from your starting capacity.
• For suitable adults, muscle strengthening on at least two days a week forms part of general activity guidance. Adapt the programme individually.
• With joint, heart or other health problems, agree exercise type and intensity with your clinician.