JMU obesity expert offers insight on GLP-1 medications 

HARRISONBURG, Va. — GLP-1 drugs are drawing significant attention for their effectiveness in weight management, and for good reason: according to medical experts, they work. 

“They are the most effective pharmacologic treatments by far, and they’re also beneficial because they can be used long term,” said James Madison University nursing professor Emily Stevens. 

To achieve the best results, patients will still need to make dietary and lifestyle changes, Stevens said. 

“When people lose weight, they also lose muscle—and preserving that muscle is critical,” said Stevens, who is certified by the Obesity Medicine Association and has advanced training in obesity medicine. “Patients need to follow a nutrient dense diet high in protein and add weight training to their exercise plan to preserve muscle mass. A good deal of education is necessary for these medications to be most effective. It’s more than just taking a shot or a pill and moving on.” 

Stevens can also discuss:

• The history of GLP-1 drugs and their original use to treat diabetes
• The major incretin therapies for weight loss and how they differ
• The origination of compounded GLP-1 drugs to meet supply and demand
• Safety considerations and potential risks of compounded GLP-1 drugs
• How compounded GLP-1 medications differ from FDA-approved products
• The cost of GLP-1 drugs and what insurance covers

To interview Stevens, please contact Eric Gorton, gortonej@jmu.edu