How starting a GLP-1 medicine changes food reactions and choices.

Exploring the Influence of GLP-1 Medication on Food Attitudes and Selection in a Virtual Reality Buffet

Observational Penn State University · NCT06843512

We will see if starting a GLP-1 medication changes how adults with overweight or obesity react to food and the foods they choose.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment25 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorPenn State University Academic / other
Locations1 site (State College, Pennsylvania)
Trial IDNCT06843512 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adults with overweight or obesity who are newly prescribed a GLP-1 medication are enrolled and tested either before or within two weeks of starting the drug and again after three months. Researchers collect measures of food reactivity and selection using behavioral tasks and the Health, Ingestive Behavior, and Technology Laboratory facilities, possibly including virtual-reality food-choice simulations. The study excludes people with prior cognitive or physical disabilities, dyslexia, epilepsy, or limited English fluency, and does not include those already on GLP-1 for more than two weeks or taking compound GLP-1 medications. Data are intended to describe changes in attitudes toward food and patterns of nutrient selection during the early course of GLP-1 treatment.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older with a BMI over 25 who were prescribed a GLP-1 medication within the past two weeks, fluent in English, and without prior cognitive or physical disability are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People under 18, those without overweight or obesity, those already on GLP-1 for more than two weeks or using compound GLP-1s, non-English speakers, or those with prior cognitive or physical disabilities are unlikely to be eligible or benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help clinicians and patients maintain appropriate nutrient balance and make better food choices while using GLP-1 medications.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research shows GLP-1 drugs commonly reduce appetite and shift food preferences, but few studies have measured detailed real-time food choice or virtual-reality–based behavior during the first months of treatment.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults (18+) with overweight or obesity (BMI \>25 kg/m2)
* Not currently taking an incretin-based medication at baseline
* Recently (within two weeks) prescribed a GLP-1, can be included if they have a obesity-related co-occurring condition (diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia)
* Have had no prior diagnosis of cognitive or physical disability, dyslexia, or epilepsy.
* Fluent in English

Exclusion Criteria:

* Adults (18+) without overweight or obesity
* \<18 years of age at time of testing
* Adults not taking a GLP-1 Medication
* Adults taking a compound GLP-1
* Adults on GLP-1 medication for longer than 2 weeks at baseline
* Have had a prior diagnosis of cognitive or physical disability, dyslexia, or epilepsy.
* Not fluent in English

Where this trial is running

State College, Pennsylvania

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Weight LossFood SelectionGLP-1Virtual RealityFood behavior
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.