Noom, tailored meals slow regain after GLP-1s in trial

Noom and medically tailored meals slowed weight regain after GLP-1 cessation in a 39-adult study published Oct. 7 in Obesity Science & Practice, compared with usual care over four months.

Evidence grade: Moderate (consistent observational data or small trials). The result matters because prior research cited by Healthline shows most people regain at least half of lost weight within 1 year after stopping GLP-1 treatment, with regain often faster during the first 3–4 months.

The study included adults with an average age of 50, average weight of 189 pounds and average body mass index, a weight-for-height measure, of 31.4. All had lost more than 10% of body weight while taking GLP-1 medications and had stopped treatment within the prior 30 days.

Researchers randomly assigned participants to usual care, a digital weight-management app or medically tailored meals. All participants completed questionnaires at the start and end of the study and used Bluetooth scales to track weight at home.

The usual-care group continued with support from their own providers, which could include nutrition, exercise and lifestyle counseling. The amount and type of support varied, and the researchers did not add an intervention.

The app group received a subscription to Noom and was encouraged to use it for at least 15 minutes a day for lessons, food logging and weight tracking. The meal group selected 10 portion-controlled meals each week from more than 70 options for home delivery.

After four months, estimated regain was 10.75% of body weight in the usual-care group, compared with 3.6% in the Noom group and 3.58% in the medically tailored meals group. All three groups regained weight.

“These findings highlight the benefits of ongoing support for patients on a weight loss journey,” Mir Ali, medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center, told Healthline. Ali was not involved in the study.

Denise Pate, a board certified internist with Medical Offices of Manhattan who was also not involved, told Healthline the findings were significant “because they show that obesity management is multifactorial, not only medication, but the combination of types of meals and behavioral change all play a role.”

The study cannot show whether either approach prevents long-term regain after stopping GLP-1 medications. It was small, lasted four months and the Healthline account did not include funding or conflict-of-interest details.

The findings apply most directly to adults similar to those studied: people who had lost more than 10% of body weight on GLP-1 therapy and had recently stopped. They do not establish what happens for people who continue GLP-1 medications long term or for broader groups not represented in the trial.

Ali told Healthline that research suggests GLP-1 medications are most effective for weight management when taken long term. Larger and longer trials would be needed to test whether app-based support or medically tailored meals can sustain weight maintenance beyond the four-month study period.

Source: Healthline News article, Oct. 9, 2026.

Atlas360 reports health research and does not provide medical advice.