Evidence mapPaperPMID 41754149Full record

ReviewNutrients2026

A Narrative Review on GLP-1 Receptor Agonists for Obesity in Older Women: Maximizing Weight Loss While Preserving Lean Mass.

Federica Moscucci, Francesco Baratta, Daniele Pastori, Danilo Menichelli, Anna Vittoria Mattioli, Sabina Gallina, Ilaria Lospinuso, Susanna Sciomer, Gianfranco Piccirillo, Giovambattista Desideri

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Nutrients, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Federica MoscucciGeriatric Unit, DAI of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico n.155, 00185 Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-9385-9097
Francesco BarattaGeriatric Unit, DAI of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico n.155, 00185 Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-1708-272X
Daniele PastoriDepartment of Medical and Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Rome "Sapienza", 00161 Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-6357-5213
Danilo MenichelliDepartment of General Surgery, Surgical Specialty and Anesthesiology Paride Stefanini, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-9467-5903
Anna Vittoria MattioliDepartment of Quality of Life, University of Bologna-Alma Mater Studiorum, 40126 Bologna, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-1487-9530
Sabina GallinaDepartment of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-0263-4851
Ilaria LospinusoGeriatric Unit, DAI of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico n.155, 00185 Rome, Italy.
Susanna SciomerUniversity of Rome "Sapienza", 00185 Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-9487-833X
Gianfranco PiccirilloGeriatric Unit, DAI of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico n.155, 00185 Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-6067-9962
Giovambattista DesideriGeriatric Unit, DAI of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico n.155, 00185 Rome, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Obesity in women over 65 represents a growing clinical challenge, particularly due to its association with increased risks of cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, frailty, sleep-breathing disorders, and sarcopenia. The prevalence of obesity in this demographic is compounded by age-related metabolic changes and declining physical activity. In this context, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, have emerged as promising pharmacological treatments for weight loss, showing substantial efficacy in reducing body weight and improving metabolic health. However, their use in older populations warrants careful consideration due to the potential risk of muscle loss, which may exacerbate sarcopenia and frailty. This review synthesizes current evidence on the efficacy of GLP-1 RAs for weight loss in older women, exploring both the metabolic benefits and potential risks, particularly with regard to muscle mass preservation. We discuss the mechanisms behind muscle loss associated with GLP-1 RAs, focusing on the balance between fat reduction and the preservation of lean body mass. In phase 3 trials, women aged ≥ 65 years achieved sustained weight loss of 10-20%, with consistent cardiometabolic improvements. Furthermore, we propose practical strategies to mitigate sarcopenia, including physical activity interventions, dietary modifications, and combination therapies aimed at maintaining muscle strength while promoting weight loss. By examining clinical trial data, real-world evidence, and physiological mechanisms, this narrative review aims to provide a comprehensive framework for personalized and safe therapeutic decision-making, addressing the unique needs of older women with obesity.

Indexed as

Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor AgonistsObesityWeight LossAgedBody CompositionFemaleGlucagon-Like PeptidesHumansSarcopeniaSemaglutideTirzepatideGlucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor AgonistsGlucagon-Like PeptidesSemaglutideTirzepatidecardiovascular preventionGLP-1 receptor agonistlifestyle for preventionobesityold womensarcopenia prevention

Identifiers

PMID41754149
PMCPMC12943638

What Socratic holds

Texttitle and abstract
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.