Closing
Do diet, exercise & lifestyle improve body weight & composition versus placebo?
Mostly studied in obesity & overweight. Also asked against other treatments.
Not modeled yetTrial evidence exists, but no mechanistic model yetWithout a model there is no decisive experiment to propose. Help build it. →
Where the evidence stands
Unlikely. So far, the results disagree.
NoUnsureYes
- Belief
- 0.12 (range 0.00–0.55)
- Trials for
- 1
- Trials against
- 2
- Inconclusive
- 0
Already under way
- SHAPE-ENDO (Strategic Hormonal Approach & Prehabilitation in Endometrial Cancer): An Open-Label, Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Standard Immediate…NCT07462663 · not yet recruiting · started 2027
- Male Fertility Preservation: Efficacy Evaluation of GLP-1Receptor Agonist Therapy for Infertility in Obese Males - A Multicenter Clinical Randomized Controlled…NCT07179120 · not yet recruiting · started 2026
- Resistance Exercise and Incretin Mimetic for Cardiometabolic Health in Survivors of ALL With ObesityNCT07228741 · recruiting · started 2026
- The Effect of Exercise and Tirzepatide on Weight and Health Outcomes (EXER-MED)NCT07298915 · not yet recruiting · started 2026
- Efficacy and Safety of Tirzepatide Once Weekly in Participants Without Type 2 Diabetes Who Have Obesity or Are Overweight With Weight-Related Comorbidities: A…NCT07481747 · recruiting · started 2026
The evidence so far
- Registered trials
- 119
- With posted results
- 18
- Published papers
- 10
Of 3 decided analyses: 2 favor diet, exercise & lifestyle, 0 find no difference, 1 favor the comparator.
Papers
- Bone Health After Exercise Alone, GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Treatment, or Combination Treatment: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.Trial report · 2024
- PREVENT-DM Comparative Effectiveness Trial of Lifestyle Intervention and Metformin.Trial report · 2017
- Metformin and lifestyle modification in polycystic ovary syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis.Meta-analysis / systematic review
- The impact of metformin with or without lifestyle modification versus placebo on polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Meta-analysis / systematic review · 2023
- Comparative effects of acupuncture and metformin on insulin sensitivity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Meta-analysis / systematic review · 2025
- Effect of a Personalized Diet to Reduce Postprandial Glycemic Response vs a Low-fat Diet on Weight Loss in Adults With Abnormal Glucose Metabolism and Obesity: A Randomized Clinical Trial.Trial report · 2022
Trials
- Synergy Effect of the Appetite Hormone GLP-1 (LiragluTide) and Exercise on Maintenance of Weight Loss and Health After a Low Calorie Diet - the S-LiTE Randomized TrialNCT04122716 · 2 posted results
- Studies to Treat Or Prevent Pediatric Type 2 Diabetes (STOPP-T2D) Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth (TODAY) Clinical TrialNCT00081328 · 4 posted results
- Comprehensive Treatment of Angina in Women With Microvascular Dysfunction - a Proof of Concept Study of the iPower CohortNCT02910154
- The Effect of Acupuncture on Insulin Sensitivity of Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Insulin Resistance: a Randomized Controlled TrialNCT02491333
- Effectiveness Study of a Lifestyle Intervention Versus Metformin in Mothers With Recent Gestational DiabetesNCT06948825
- SGLT-2 Inhibitor Empagliflozin Effects on Appetite and Weight Regulation: A Randomised Double-blind Placebo-controlled Trial (The SEESAW Study)NCT02798744
- Combined Effects of Statins and Exercise on Physiological Health Markers and Quality of Life in Patients With DyslipidaemiaNCT06841536
- SHAPE-ENDO (Strategic Hormonal Approach & Prehabilitation in Endometrial Cancer): An Open-Label, Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Standard Immediate Surgery Versus a Multimodal Metabolic Optimization and Prehabilitation Strategy Before Surgery in Patients With Atypical Endometrial Hyperplasia or Low-Risk Endometrioid Endometrial Cancer and BMI ≥40 kg/m²NCT07462663