Key Takeaways
- A 10-month observational study of 372 Medmate patients on GLP-1 medications found that patients using MyFitnessPal reported 40% greater average weight loss compared to those not using the platform
- In this observational study, patients using digital self-monitoring reported higher medication adherence, with only 9% missing two or more doses compared to 23% of non-users
- Behavioral differences reported by study participants included more frequent meal planning and increased resistance training among digital tool users
- These findings suggest that GLP-1 medications paired with structured self-monitoring may be associated with greater weight loss and adherence than medication alone
GLP-1 receptor agonists are transforming medical weight management, but they may not be a standalone solution. Early insights from a recent observational study suggest that pairing these medications with digital self-monitoring tools may influence adherence and behavioral change.
Study Overview
This 10-month observational study, conducted through Medmate’s medical weight management program, compared outcomes among patients prescribed GLP-1 receptor agonists. One group actively used MyFitnessPal alongside their medication (n=100), while the other did not (n=272).
The study was designed to understand whether digital self-monitoring—specifically food logging, meal planning, and activity tracking—correlates with differences in weight loss, medication adherence, and health-related behaviors.
Weight Loss and Medication Adherence
Patients using MyFitnessPal reported an average weight loss of 11.6% compared to 8.2% among those who did not use the platform. This represents approximately 40% greater average weight loss in the digital monitoring group.
Medication adherence also differed between groups. Only 9% of MyFitnessPal users reported missing two or more doses during the study period, compared to 23% of non-users. At the 10-month mark, 86% of MyFitnessPal users remained on therapy compared to 62% of non-users.
These findings align with broader research showing that self-monitoring, including the use of mobile apps, may support medication adherence in chronic disease management.1,2 When patients actively track their behaviors, they’re more likely to maintain consistency with prescribed treatments.
Behavioral Changes
Beyond weight loss and adherence, the study showed differences in health-related behaviors between the two groups.
- Meal planning: 83% of patients using MyFitnessPal reported planning meals five or more days per week, compared to 45% of non-users. This nearly twofold difference suggests that digital tools may encourage proactive food decision-making.
- Physical activity: 67% of patients using MyFitnessPal engaged in resistance training at least twice per week, compared to 35% of non-users. Given that muscle preservation is a key concern during rapid weight loss3, this finding could have practical implications for long-term health outcomes.
- Side effect management: Fewer patients using MyFitnessPal reported experiencing common GLP-1 side effects.4 Specifically, 19% reported nausea compared to 33% of non-users, and 10% reported diarrhea compared to 24% of non-users. While the study did not establish causation, these differences may reflect better nutritional management among active trackers.5
GLP-1 Treatment Models
GLP-1 medications are designed to reduce appetite and slow gastric emptying6, but they don’t inherently teach patients how to eat for their goals, manage macronutrient distribution, or build sustainable habits. Digital self-monitoring may help address that gap by providing structure, feedback, and visibility into daily choices.
The behavioral differences observed in this study—more meal planning, more resistance training, fewer reported side effects—suggest that patients using digital tools may be engaging more proactively with their treatment. They’re not just taking medication; they appear to be actively managing their nutrition and activity in ways that may complement their overall treatment approach.
This matters because GLP-1 medications are typically prescribed for extended periods, and long-term weight management success is often linked to sustainable behavior change.5 Though this study did not measure post-treatment outcomes, patients who develop these habits during treatment may be relevant for maintaining results after medication ends or dosage is reduced.7
Implications for Healthcare and Digital Health
For healthcare providers, these findings suggest that considering digital self-monitoring alongside GLP-1 prescriptions may support patient engagement and consistency. The tools don’t replace clinical oversight, but may serve to complement pharmacological treatment.
For the digital health industry, this study highlights the potential role of evidence-based tools that integrate with medical care. As weight management increasingly involves both medication and behavioral support, platforms that bridge the two will likely play a growing role in treatment models.
For payers and employers evaluating weight management programs, the combination of medication and structured behavioral support may warrant further evaluation.
Looking Ahead
This study represents early observational data from a real-world treatment setting. It was not a randomized controlled trial, and further research is needed to establish causation and generalizability. However, the patterns observed—better adherence, greater weight loss, more proactive behaviors—are consistent with what we might expect to see when patients have tools to support their treatment.
As GLP-1 medications become more widely accessible, the question isn’t just who should have access to these drugs. It’s how to ensure patients have the support structures that maximize their effectiveness. Digital self-monitoring may be one piece of that equation.
At MyFitnessPal, we’ve spent 20 years building tools that help people understand their nutrition and build sustainable habits. Nearly one million people reach their goals with our platform each year. These findings suggest that those same tools may have a role in supporting patients through medical weight management—not as a replacement for medication, but as a complement to it.
Methodology
This 10-month observational study compared outcomes among patients enrolled in Medmate’s medical weight management program who were prescribed a GLP-1 receptor agonist. The study included 100 Medmate patients using GLP-1 medications in conjunction with MyFitnessPal and 272 Medmate patients using GLP-1 medications not in conjunction with MyFitnessPal.
Sources
[1] Grunberg NE, Berger SS, Hamilton KR, et al. Effectiveness of interventions targeting self-regulation to improve adherence to chronic disease medications: A meta-review of meta-analyses. Health Psychology Review. 2020;14(1):S1–S20. PMCID: PMC7254887. doi:10.1080/17437199.2019.1701353
[2] Kim SK, Park SY, Hwang HR, et al. Effectiveness of mobile health intervention in medication adherence: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Medical Systems. 2025;49:13. doi:10.1007/s10916-024-02135-2
[3] Tinsley GM, Heymsfield SB. Fundamental Body Composition Principles Provide Context for Fat-Free and Skeletal Muscle Loss With GLP-1 RA Treatments. J Endocr Soc. 2024;8(11):bvae164. doi:10.1210/jendso/bvae164
[4] Ismaiel A, Scarlata GGM, Boitos I, et al. Gastrointestinal adverse events associated with GLP-1 RA in non-diabetic patients with overweight or obesity: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Int J Obes (Lond). 2025;49(10):1946-1957. doi:10.1038/s41366-025-01859-6
[5] Mozaffarian D, Agarwal M, Aggarwal M, et al. Nutritional priorities to support GLP-1 therapy for obesity: A joint Advisory from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, the American Society for Nutrition, the Obesity Medicine Association, and The Obesity Society. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2025;33(8):1475-1503. doi:10.1002/oby.24336
[6] Zheng Z, Zong Y, Ma Y, et al. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor: mechanisms and advances in therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther. 2024;9(1):234. doi:10.1038/s41392-024-01931-z
[7] Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Davies M, et al. Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: The STEP 1 trial extension. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2022;24(8):1553-1564. doi:10.1111/dom.14725