Weight-loss medications are transforming obesity care, but little is known about their impact on daily life. In this blog, Dr Marie Spreckley, Principal Investigator of AMPLIFY, shares insights from an ARC East of England study exploring the experiences of adults using incretin-based therapies for weight management, helping to shape future person-centred obesity care.
The use of incretin-based weight management treatments, such as semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro), has grown rapidly in recent years. A study estimated that around 1.6 million adults in Great Britain used GLP-1-based weight-loss medications in the year before early 2025. Although some people access these treatments through NHS services, many obtain them privately, including through online pharmacies. Clinical trials have demonstrated that these treatments can lead to substantial weight loss and improvements in health outcomes. However, much less is known about people's experiences of using these medications and their impact on everyday life. Understanding these real-world experiences is essential to help people make informed decisions and support the delivery of more person-centred obesity care.
To address this evidence gap, we developed the AMPLIFY study. Led by the University of Cambridge, AMPLIFY (Amplifying Meaningful Perspectives and lived experiences of Incretin therapy use From diverse communitY voices) aims to understand the perspectives of adults who currently use, or have previously used, incretin-based therapies for weight management and to use these insights to inform high-quality, person-centred obesity services and care.
Incretin-based therapies are transforming obesity care, but weight loss is only one part of the picture. Through AMPLIFY, we are examining how these treatments shape people’s day-to-day lives, from changes in appetite and eating behaviour to the impact on social life. As their use grows, these perspectives will help shape obesity services that better reflect people’s experiences and needs.
Dr Marie Spreckley
Principal Investigator of the AMPLIFY study
To understand participants’ experiences, we used a mixed-methods approach comprising six focus groups with 40 participants and an anonymous national online survey completed by 509 participants. Together, these methods allowed us to examine day-to-day experiences, including changes in appetite, eating behaviours, food-related thoughts, wellbeing, diet quality and social life, as well as the practical realities of accessing and continuing treatment.
To ensure the study reflected people’s real-world experiences, AMPLIFY was designed with people with lived experience. Public contributors have worked alongside the research team from the outset, helping to shape the study design, participant materials and data collection methods. They continue to play a key role in analysing and interpreting the findings, ensuring that the research remains relevant, inclusive and grounded in real-world perspectives.
Clinical trials tell us how well these medications work under controlled conditions, but they cannot fully show how treatment fits into people’s lives. By combining in-depth qualitative research with national survey data, AMPLIFY provides a fuller picture of how these therapies are experienced in routine practice.
Dr Cara Ruggiero
Co-Investigator of the AMPLIFY study
We are currently bringing together the qualitative and quantitative findings from the study. In partnership with public contributors, Obesity Voices and Obesity UK, we will co-produce plain-language summaries and public engagement resources to help people make informed decisions about weight-loss medications. Findings will be disseminated through patient, clinical, community and policy networks, including weight-management services and pharmacies, ensuring they reach both people using these medications and the professionals who support their care. We will also submit the findings for publication in peer-reviewed journals and present the study at the Cambridge Festival 2027.
The AMPLIFY study complements clinical trials and contributes to a more complete understanding of treatment in routine practice. As incretin-based therapies become an increasingly important part of obesity care, understanding people’s experiences alongside clinical outcomes will be essential. Through AMPLIFY, these perspectives will help shape the evidence base that informs future research, healthcare policy and clinical practice. Looking ahead, we will use the findings to identify priorities for future research and practical opportunities to improve the information and support available to people before, during and after treatment.
To learn more about the study, please contact Dr Marie Spreckley at marie.spreckley@mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk.
