Joshua Schall, MBA and Functional CPG Strategist, dives into the rise of GLP-1 weight loss pharmaceuticals and their implications for the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry.

 

The Obesity Epidemic and GLP-1’s Role

The obesity epidemic in the U.S. has reached unprecedented levels, with over 100 million adults now considered obese according to recent CDC data. This staggering figure makes them prime candidates for new weight loss medications like GLP-1.

 

Health Motivations and Market Growth

While managing diabetes and cardiovascular disease are clear health motivators, social pressures around weight management continue to fuel interest in these drugs. The U.S. leads the global market, accounting for nearly two-thirds of all spending on GLP-1 drugs. Experts predict the annual market for weight loss medications could hit $150 billion by 2033, with potential for even greater growth as new, more effective drugs emerge.

 

The Challenge of Sustaining Weight Loss

Despite the potential for 15-20% weight loss, there are concerns about long-term sustainability. While consumers are losing a substantial amount of weight, one-third of that weight loss is muscle.   And rapid weight gain is common after discontinuing GLP-1 drugs, which commonly means more fat gain than muscle gain. To combat this, resistance training and a high-protein diet are essential for maintaining muscle mass during and after taking GLP-1s. However, for those struggling to meet their protein needs, ingredients like myHMB® can be crucial in preserving muscle mass during a calorie deficit1—even without resistance training2.

To get the full scope from Joshua Schall, please check out his YouTube video on the topic.

References:
  1. Park BS, Henning PC, Grant SC, et al. HMB attenuates muscle loss during sustained energy deficit induced by calorie restriction and endurance exercise. Metabolism. 2013;62(12):1718-1729. doi:10.1016/j.metabol.2013.06.005
    View Publication >
  1. John A Rathmacher, Lisa M Pitchford, Paul Khoo, Hector Angus, James Lang, Kristin Lowry, Carol Ruby, Alex C Krajek, John C Fuller, Rick L Sharp, Long-term Effects of Calcium β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate and Vitamin D3 Supplementation on Muscular Function in Older Adults With and Without Resistance Training: A Randomized, Double-blind, Controlled Study, The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, Volume 75, Issue 11, November 2020, Pages 2089–2097, https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glaa218
    View Publication >
Back To News