The rapid adoption of GLP-1 therapeutics such as semaglutide and tirzepatide has changed obesity treatment. Still, experts say drugs alone are not enough to combat one of the country’s most pressing chronic diseases.
A new commentary has been published in the journal of the American College of Gastroenterology. GastroenterologyRethinking POWER in the GLP-1 Era updates the groundbreaking POWER (Practical Guide to Obesity and Weight Management, Education, and Resources) framework, first published in 2017. This article reflects significant advances in obesity treatment, including the emergence of highly effective anti-obesity drugs, new evidence supporting endoscopic obesity treatment and metabolic therapy, expanded indications for bariatric surgery, and advances in precision medicine.
Important points:
- GLP-1 receptor agonists have fundamentally changed the treatment landscape for obesity.
- This commentary incorporates the emerging concept of clinical obesity, which recognizes obesity as a chronic systemic disease and highlights the limitations of relying solely on BMI to assess health risks.
- Obesity care is increasingly moving toward a multidisciplinary model that combines pharmacotherapy, endoscopic therapy, and surgery.
- Emerging evidence supports that endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty and other endoscopic bariatric and metabolic treatments are effective treatment options.
- Advances in genetics and precision medicine may allow doctors to better match patients with the most effective obesity treatments.
- Combining GLP-1 drugs with endoscopic or surgical intervention may result in greater and more sustained weight loss than either approach alone.
This paper highlights the important role gastroenterologists and hepatologists play in obesity management. These professionals regularly treat patients with obesity-related diseases such as metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gallbladder disease, and obesity-related gastrointestinal complications.
sauce:
American College of Gastroenterology
Reference magazines:
Acosta, A. others. (2026). Reconsidering POWER in the GLP-1 era. Gastroenterology. DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2026.04.016. https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(26)06765-X/fulltext
