Short-Term Effects of Tirzepatide in Obese Adults: A Real-World Prospective Study

TL;DR

Tirzepatide helps obese adults lose weight and fat quickly in real-world settings without losing much muscle.

Contribution

First real-world study showing tirzepatide's short-term effects on body composition in obese adults.

Findings

Median body weight decreased by 4.0 kg after 30 days of tirzepatide treatment.

Fat mass reduced by 3.6 kg, with minimal changes in fat-free mass and total body water.

Weight loss was similar between males and females, with no significant differences by age.

Abstract

Background

Tirzepatide is a novel dual agonist of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors, shown to induce substantial weight loss in clinical trials. However, real-world data on the short-term effects of the drug in obese adults is unknown. This prospective observational study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of tirzepatide on body composition-including fat mass, fat-free mass, total body water, and extracellular water-as well as waist circumference and body weight in adults with overweight or obesity under routine clinical care.

Methods

Adults with a body mass index (BMI) ≥27 kg/m² who were newly prescribed tirzepatide received once-weekly subcutaneous injections, alongside standardized lifestyle counseling. Body composition parameters, including fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), total body water (TBW), and extracellular water (ECW), were assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) under standardized conditions at baseline and after a median of 30 days. The study was conducted between December 1, 2024, and May 1, 2025. Changes from baseline were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test; subgroup analyses were performed by sex and age. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients were used to examine associations between age and treatment response.

Results

A total of 115 participants (67.5% female; median age 48 years) were included. Median body weight decreased by -4.0 kg, waist circumference by -5.0 cm, and fat mass by -3.6 kg. Changes in fat-free mass and total body water were minimal, suggesting preferential loss of adipose tissue. Although females demonstrated a slightly greater median reduction in body weight [median: -4.0 kg; interquartile range (IQR): -7.0 to -2.1 kg] compared to males (median: -3.0 kg; IQR: -6.0 to 0.0 kg), the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.112). Similarly, no statistically significant differences were observed between sexes for the change in total body water [difference in TBW (DTBW): median for females: 0.1 L vs. -0.4 L for males, p = 0.733], extracellular water [difference in ECW (DECW): -0.6 L vs. 0.5 L, p = 0.240], or FFM [difference in FFM (DFFM): -0.7 kg vs. -0.6 kg, p = 0.276]. Age was not correlated with body composition changes.

Conclusion

Tirzepatide was associated with rapid and clinically meaningful reductions in body weight, central adiposity, and fat mass within 30 days, with preservation of lean mass, supporting its utility in early obesity management.

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