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Beyond the hype: smarter strategies for GLP-1 use in obesity and diabetes

Published Date: Jul 24, 2025
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This post was written by Laura Walmsley, Chief Commercial Officer, Virta Health and is based on their presentation at Hinge Health’s Movement 2025 Conference.

Why nutrition and lifestyle changes are essential to sustaining outcomes, lowering costs, and delivering equitable care 

GLP-1s are reshaping obesity care—driving results, but also raising questions about cost, long-term value, and equitable care. As demand soars, health plans and benefits leaders are facing a critical moment: how do we harness the promise of GLP-1s without overextending budgets or missing the bigger picture?

According to experts at Virta Health and Mercer, the answer lies in a fundamental but often overlooked factor: nutrition and lifestyle changes–whether GLP-1s are taken or not–are essential to sustaining outcomes, reducing costs, and improving health in all populations. 

GLP-1s are powerful—but incomplete on their own

There’s no denying that GLP-1s have helped many individuals achieve weight loss and blood sugar control. But a growing body of evidence, including new research featured in The Guardian, shows that most weight is regained within a year of stopping the medication. 

“GLP-1s are recommended alongside lifestyle changes, and without a program like Virta in place, many GLP-1 takers are missing out on this aspect,” explains Dr. Jeff Stanley, Senior Medical Director at Virta Health. “As a doctor, this is concerning because it means a lot of people aren’t getting optimal value when taking the drug and that weight regain after stopping is likely.”

What can be done to prevent wasted spend and keep the weight off when GLP-1s are deprescribed?

A nutrition-first model delivers long-term outcomes and cost control

A smarter strategy starts with nutrition and encourages nutrition changes for all members, whether a GLP-1 is taken or not. Many GLP-1 solutions today often underemphasize this step, focusing on prescribing medication first and suggesting lifestyle changes as an afterthought. 

At Virta, nutrition comes first. Each member is engaged in a conversation about weight loss options and is personally navigated to the best care path for them. Sometimes this involves taking a GLP-1, but many times it doesn’t.

This approach optimizes weight loss outcomes and GLP-1 spend in three ways:

  1. As a drug-free alternative, avoiding costly medications while delivering 13% weight loss at one year¹

  2. As a co-therapy, maximizing the success of those taking a GLP-1

  3. As a GLP-1 off-ramp, supporting safe deprescribing and long-term weight maintenance

Early results from Virta’s responsible GLP-1 prescribing model cut GLP-1 use by 50% among current takers. 

Personalization and equity must be built in, not added on 

A sustainable weight loss strategy must also be personalized and relevant to each individual. Members come from diverse backgrounds with varying access to food, healthcare, and fitness. What works for one person may fail for another if it ignores their lived experience.

“A provider may suggest a food plan that is ineffective for individuals who unfortunately may have to rely on gas stations for groceries or live in a food desert,” says Vikki Walton, MBA, Senior Principal and Health Equity Leader, Health Equity Center of Excellence, Mercer. “Equitable care starts with understanding the individual, what’s possible to change in that moment—and builds from there.”

Virtual care models can help meet people where they are, offering culturally competent, 1:1 support. They also offer easy-to-access resources like budget-friendly food lists and enable daily check-ins that drive real engagement and results.

GLP-1s can’t stand alone–and they don’t have to

GLP-1s have a valuable role to play—but they are not the whole solution. A nutrition-first strategy that prioritizes member choice and personalized support delivers better health outcomes, higher adherence, and more responsible use of medications.

The path forward is clear: it’s time to move beyond the hype, invest in programs that work with or without GLP-1s, and build a strategy that will last.

Want to learn more?

References
1
McKenzie AL, Athinarayanan SJ, McCue JJ, Adams RN, Keyes M, McCarter JP, Volek JS, Phinney SD, Hallberg SJ. Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Focused on Normalization of Glycemia: A Two-Year Pilot Study. Nutrients. 2021 Feb 26;13(3):749.