A real-world study found that women on tirzepatide lost significantly more weight than men, while age had no impact on outcomes. Women were 2.6 times more likely to shed 20%+ of their body weight. The findings suggest sex — along with diabetes status and certain medications — should factor into personalized obesity treatment planning.
A new real-world study out of the Mayo Clinic found that women taking tirzepatide for at least 12 months lost significantly more weight than men — and the gap widened over time. Researchers analyzed electronic health records from over 1,000 adults with overweight or obesity, finding that female sex was one of the strongest independent predictors of weight-loss success, while age had no meaningful effect on outcomes.
The study also flagged other factors that shaped results: having type 2 diabetes, previously using obesity medications, or taking weight gain-promoting drugs were all linked to less weight loss. On the flip side, reaching higher tirzepatide doses (≥10 mg weekly) was associated with greater results.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: As tirzepatide becomes a go-to obesity treatment, these findings push clinicians to think beyond one-size-fits-all dosing — tailoring strategies based on sex, diabetes status, and medication history could meaningfully improve patient outcomes.
