Personalized Nutrition and Exercise to Optimize GLP-1 Treatment

Nutrition and Exercise for GLP-1 receptor agonists users - STRONG (acronym: Supporting TRaining and Optimum Nutrition with GLP-1RA therapy)

Many people using modern weight loss medicines like Ozempic (so-called GLP-1 receptor agonists) not only lose fat, but also muscle, and may not get enough essential nutrients. This project brings together the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Danone/Nutricia, and Amsterdam UMC to develop and test a new lifestyle program combining tailored nutrition and guided strength training. The goal is to enable healthy weight loss while preserving muscle, helping users stay strong, fit, and healthy for longer.

Obesity is a growing health challenge. In the Netherlands, 16% of adults live with obesity. The use of GLP-1 medications is increasing rapidly: pharmacy prescriptions for weight loss rose from around 2,000 in 2022 to over 100,000 in 2024. While these medicines are effective for weight loss, they can also lead to unintended effects. Reduced appetite may result in insufficient nutrient intake, and muscle loss can decrease strength, mobility, and energy levels. This also increases the risk of regaining weight after stopping treatment. These challenges highlight the need for better lifestyle support in addition to medication.

This project will develop a lifestyle program that combines GLP-1RA treatment with targeted nutrition, including a specialized nutrition product, and guided strength training. The approach will be studied to assess whether it is safe, effective, practical, and helps people stay strong, healthy, and motivated, supporting safer and more sustainable long-term weight loss.

The project will deliver:

• Characterization of GLP-1RA users in the Netherlands (clinical, nutritional, and behavioral profiles)

• A specialized medical nutrition prototype tailored to GLP-1RA users

• A supervised exercise and nutrition lifestyle program

• Clinical study results on effectiveness, safety, and user experience of this program

• Practical guidance for healthcare professionals to enhance care of patients using GLP-1RA therapies

• Insights for further development and implementation of targeted nutrition solutions

Summary

Many users of modern weight loss medicines lose not only fat but also muscle and essential nutrients. This project develops and tests a lifestyle program combining tailored nutrition and guided strength training to help people stay strong, healthy, and motivated, supporting safer and more sustainable long-term weight loss.

Technology Readiness Level (TRL)

4 - 7

Time period

48 months

Partners