Effect of Obesogenic Medications on Weight-Loss Outcomes in a Behavioral Weight-Management Program

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate a possible association between the use of obesogenic medications and inadequate weight loss in a behavioral weight management program. METHODS: This is a case-control, single-center, study of 666 adult patients within Veterans Health Administration health system that participated in the MOVE! behavioral weight loss program. We divided our cohort into responders (n=150), patients who achieved ≥5% total weight loss by the end of MOVE! program, and non-responders (n=516), <5% total RESULTS: Approximately 62% (n = 411) of patients entering MOVE! had a prescription for obesogenic medications. Obesogenic medication use was associated with worse weight loss outcomes, and participants were 37% less likely to achieve a clinically meaningful (≥5% total weight loss) outcome at the end of the MOVE! program (odds ratio, 0.633; 95% CI, 0.427–0.937; adjusted P = 0.022). Patients who received 3 or more medications n=72) had the greatest difficulty achieving 5% weight loss compared to the control group (odds ratio, 0.265; 95% CI, 0.108–0.646; adjusted P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The use of provider-prescribed obesogenic medications was associated with worse weight loss outcomes in a behavioral weight loss program. Closer scrutiny of patient medications is necessary to help improve outcomes of weight loss treatments.