A scalable plan to help people keep weight off after stopping obesity medications
Official title: Pilot Trial of a Scalable Behavioral Program for Weight Loss Maintenance After GLP-1 and Anti-Obesity Medication Discontinuation
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11342005 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new pilot program helps adults keep weight off after stopping GLP-1 medications or other anti-obesity drugs by using structured eating, activity, and mind-based practices.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $298,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK147319-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11342005 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21+ who are stopping GLP-1 receptor agonists or other anti-obesity medications and are seeking to maintain weight loss.
✕Less likely to help
People who are not stopping anti-obesity medications or who are unable to participate in a structured 10-week program may not benefit.
What this research studies
This pilot tests a 10-week weight loss maintenance program, followed by six months of ongoing support, to prevent weight regain after stopping obesity medications. Participants are randomly assigned to receive three potential supports: medically tailored meals, YMCA access, and SKY meditation, in a 2x2x2 design. The program blends diet, physical activity, and mindfulness to address appetite, metabolism, and mindset changes that happen after medication discontinuation. Researchers will track weight, what people eat, how active they are, and engagement with mind-based practices over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could give patients a scalable way to sustain weight loss after stopping obesity medications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous approaches show promise for weight maintenance, but scalable, multi-component programs post-medication are not yet established.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wyatt, Holly R — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Wyatt, Holly R
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.