Ozempic Users May Be Neglecting Exercise, Research Suggests
WHO:
Gizmodo - Researchers at HSHS Saint John’s Hospital in Illinois conducted the study.
Gizmodo - The study involved 753 volunteers who were prescribed a GLP-1 medication for obesity.
WHAT:
Gizmodo - The study found that the decline in physical activity was steeper among men and individuals reporting musculoskeletal pain.
Science Daily - The analysis indicated that people taking GLP-1 medications may be losing muscle mass along with fat, raising concerns about preserving strength and long-term health.
Gizmodo - The study found that physical activity significantly decreased after starting a GLP-1 medication.
Gizmodo - The average daily steps of GLP-1 users dropped from 5,047 to 4,487.
Gizmodo - Daily levels of moderate-to-vigorous activity lowered from 28 minutes to 22 minutes after starting the medication.
Gizmodo - The research is set to be presented at ENDO 2026, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting.
WHERE:
Gizmodo - The study was conducted at HSHS Saint John’s Hospital in Illinois.
Gizmodo - The data was sourced from the All of Us research program, which tracks the health of a diverse group of Americans.
WHEN:
Gizmodo - The findings are set to be presented at ENDO 2026.
WHY:
Gizmodo - Researchers argue that weight loss alone may not promote increased physical activity, highlighting the need for targeted interventions that encourage physical activity alongside pharmacologic therapy.
Gizmodo - The researchers aimed to understand how GLP-1 medications might alter levels of exercise among users.
HOW:
Gizmodo - The study examined Fitbit data from participants before and after they were prescribed a GLP-1 medication.
(UPDATED June 14, 2026 10:04 UTC)
A recent study has revealed that the decline in physical activity is particularly pronounced among men and those experiencing musculoskeletal pain. Additionally, an analysis has raised concerns that individuals taking GLP-1 medications might be losing muscle mass along with fat, which could impact their strength and long-term health. Researchers emphasize that simply losing weight may not be enough to boost physical activity, suggesting a need for targeted interventions that promote exercise alongside medication.
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(UPDATED June 14, 2026 01:44 UTC)
Researchers at HSHS Saint John’s Hospital in Illinois conducted a study involving 753 volunteers who were prescribed a GLP-1 medication for obesity, and they found that physical activity significantly decreased after starting the treatment. The average daily steps of GLP-1 users dropped from 5,047 to 4,487, while daily levels of moderate-to-vigorous activity decreased from 28 minutes to 22 minutes. These findings are set to be presented at ENDO 2026, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting, as the researchers aim to understand how GLP-1 medications might alter levels of exercise among users.