How Common Is GLP-1 Use for Weight Loss in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province? | Research

The takeaway

A cross-sectional survey found notable GLP-1 RA use for weight loss among overweight/obese adults in Eastern Saudi Arabia, with specific demographic factors predicting use.

Eastern Province survey
Assessing real-world GLP-1 RA weight loss use patterns in Saudi adults

What the researchers found

GLP-1 RA use for weight management was prevalent among overweight/obese adults in Eastern Saudi Arabia, with specific demographic and health factors predicting use.

Why it matters

Understanding real-world patterns of GLP-1 RA use for weight loss helps healthcare systems plan for demand, education needs, and appropriate prescribing oversight.

How the study worked

Cross-sectional survey using an online self-administered questionnaire with chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis.

What this study cannot tell us

Self-reported survey data subject to recall bias; online questionnaire may not reach all demographic groups; single region limits generalizability.

How to read the evidence

Cross-sectional survey — describes prevalence and associations but cannot establish causation or temporal relationships.

When this study was published

Published 2026. Survey data from December 2024.

The bigger picture

The global surge in GLP-1 RA use for weight loss, including off-label use, is reshaping obesity treatment patterns in ways that public health systems need to track and manage.

Questions still open

What proportion of GLP-1 RA weight loss use is off-label vs. prescribed for obesity?
How do usage patterns in the Eastern Province compare to other Saudi regions?

Common questions

Are many people in Saudi Arabia using GLP-1 drugs for weight loss?

This survey found notable prevalence of GLP-1 RA use for weight management among overweight and obese adults in the Eastern Province, reflecting the global trend of increasing use.

What factors predict who uses these medications?

The study identified specific demographic and health-related factors associated with GLP-1 RA use, which can help target education and prescribing efforts.

Read the original research

Prevalence and Factors Associated with GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Use for Weight Management Among Overweight and Obese Adults in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 14(3)

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Alhussain, Khalid; Alshakhs, Zainab; Albaqshi, Layla; Alshaqaqiq, Fawatim; Alrabiah, Mohammed; Tripathi, Rina. (2026). Prevalence and Factors Associated with GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Use for Weight Management Among Overweight and Obese Adults in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 14(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14030345