MyFitnessPal launches support tools for patients on GLP-1 meds

The tools include content such as educational videos, recipes, and daily nutrition tips

GLP-1 drugs were originally designed to help diabetics control their blood sugar, but once it was also revealed that they could be used for weight loss they caught on in a flash: a poll conducted last year found that nearly half of adults would be interested in prescription weight-loss drugs.

As this is all still pretty new, so it's important to make sure that people who share now taking these drugs have all the right information they need to maintain their health. In fact, a survey from food and nutrition tracking app MyFitnessPal in January found that 34% of 2,000 people aged 18 to 64 said they would benefit from regular updates or content about GLP-1 medications as related to nutrition. 

In response, the company food has introduced new tools and content developed to support the health and wellness of their members taking GLP-1 medications, including Mounjaro, Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound.

MyFitnessPal's 7-day GLP-1 Nutrition Plan is accessible for everyone using the MyFitnessPal app for free. Members who enroll in the GLP-1 plan will learn what to eat to mitigate side effects and maximize nutrient intake.

They'll also complete daily check-ins to reflect on patterns and progress, read daily lessons to understand the importance of nutrition during periods of rapid weight loss, and receive daily tips to optimize how they eat, sleep, and move. MyFitnessPal users taking GLP-1 medications for weight loss can also use the app to keep track of their hydration levels throughout the day, and use the MyFitnessPal community forums to share their experiences and get additional support from other members. 

The plan also includes new content, including exercise videos to help maintain muscle, along with encouragement to eat and log what the company calls, "high quality, nutrient-dense food to support the development of consistency and lasting healthy behaviors," as well as a free recipe collection and in-app Nutrition Plan developed by the company's team of registered dietitians with the guidance of MyFitnessPal's Scientific Advisory Council.

"At MyFitnessPal, we believe that good nutrition is central to health. In a recent survey we conducted of over 1,000 people in the general population, those who tracked their food alongside GLP-1 medication reported that they were more likely to reach their weight goals than those who did not track," Mike Fisher, CEO of MyFitnessPal, said in a statement.

"There's a real opportunity and need to provide free nutrition guidance and content to educate a growing population of people accessing GLP-1 medications for weight loss so they have long-term, sustainable outcomes."

MyFitnessPal is launching these tools as a growing number of people are taking GLP-1 medications: about 1 in 60 Americans were prescribed the drugs in 2023. 

Healthtech ompanies have also begun to make it easier to access these medications; for example, last year, Prescryptive Health, a digital health company focused on improving the prescription drug market, announced a partnership with virtual cardiometabolic healthcare service 9amHealth to maximize the value of GLP-1 medications and provide personalized treatment for all cardiometabolic conditions, including weight loss. 

Earlier this month, Sesame, a direct-pay healthcare marketplace for medical care services, and wholesale retailer Costco, launched a new weight loss program, which included access to GLP-1 medications. 

(Image source: myfitnesspal.com)