A Remotely Delivered, Semaglutide-Supported Specialist Weight Management Program: Preliminary Findings From a Retrospective Service Evaluation.

backgroundDigital weight management interventions have the potential to increase access to novel pharmacotherapy for people living with obesity. At present, there is limited real-world evidence on the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of this type of intervention.

objectiveThis retrospective service evaluation examines real-world data to evaluate the preliminary impact of Second Nature's 24-month, remotely delivered, semaglutide-supported weight management intervention for adults living with obesity at 12 weeks.

methodsRetrospective data were extracted in October 2023 for participants who started the intervention between June 8, 2023, and July 22, 2023. The primary outcomes were weight change (kg) and percentage of weight change at 12 weeks. The secondary outcomes were the proportion of participants who achieved ≥5% and ≥10% weight loss and the feasibility and acceptability of this type of intervention. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the baseline characteristics, retention, engagement, prevalence of side effects, and weight change. A paired 2-tailed t test was used to determine the significance of weight change. Content analysis was used to analyze the free-text questionnaire responses.

resultsA total of 113 participants with a mean baseline BMI of 38.4 kg/m

conclusionsThis retrospective preliminary service evaluation suggests that a remotely delivered semaglutide-supported weight management intervention has the potential to be effective, feasible, and acceptable for self-paying consumer adults with obesity in the United Kingdom. Areas for further improvement were highlighted, including user engagement in an app-based program. A full-service evaluation at the end of the 24-month intervention with a larger sample size is required to support these early findings.