NIH Obesity Research Task Force Symposium: Clinical Research Strategies for Sustainable Obesity Care

Event Details

Purpose

Highly effective anti-obesity medications (AOMs), including semaglutide and tirzepatide, can produce mean weight loss of greater than 15% and have shown effectiveness in the prevention or control of obesity-related comorbidities and complications, such as type 2 diabetes, major cardiovascular events, obstructive sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, chronic kidney disease, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. Although evidence from industry-sponsored clinical trials shows average regain of two-thirds of initial weight loss after discontinuation of highly effective AOMs, the magnitude of weight regain in individuals is variable and the predictors of this variability are unknown. After initial treatment success, patients and providers may have concerns about indefinite use of these medications due to high drug costs, side-effects, and limited information on long-term safety and effectiveness, among others. The current evidence base for guiding treatment options after initial success is lacking. Options include continued use of the same highly effective AOM at the same dose and frequency, decreasing the dose or frequency of the same AOM, switching to a first-generation AOM or combination of medications, or discontinuing AOMs altogether. The optimum mode, intensity, timing of initiation, and duration of nutrition, physical activity, and behavioral interventions in supporting these strategies are also unclear.

Meeting Objectives

This symposium will explore clinical research strategies for generating evidence to guide individualized decisions for long-term maintenance of health gains after initial obesity treatment success with highly effective AOMs.

Individuals requiring Sign Language Interpreters or other reasonable accommodations to facilitate their participation in this event should contact Susan Holbrook at susan.holbrook@nih.gov at least five (5) days prior to the commencement of the event.

Registration Deadline

December 2, 2025

Agenda

The agenda is available on the event website.