Real‐world insights into incretin‐based therapy: Associations between changes in taste perception and appetite regulation in individuals with obesity and overweight: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract Aims This cross‐sectional study examined associations between self‐reported taste perception changes and appetite‐related outcomes in individuals with obesity treated with glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist (GLP‐1 RAS) or dual glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/GLP‐1 RAS in real‐world conditions. Materials and Methods Four hundred and eleven adults on Wegovy® ( n = 217), Ozempic® ( n = 148) and Mounjaro® ( n = 46) completed an online survey assessing sociodemographic, anthropometric and sensory changes and appetite‐related outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess associations between taste changes and satiety, appetite and craving. Results Participants (69.6% female; median age 39 [interquartile range, IQR 33–47]) had baseline body mass index ( BMI) of 35.6 (Wegovy®), 34.7 (Ozempic®) and 36.2 kg/m 2 (Mounjaro®). Adjusted models for baseline BMI , treatment duration, dose, age and sex showed significant reductions in BMI of 17.6% (95% CI : 15.7–19.5) for Wegovy®, 17.4% (15.0–19.8) for Ozempic® and 15.5% (8.8–22.2) for Mounjaro®. Reduced appetite was reported by 58.4% of participants (Wegovy®: 54.4%, Ozempic®: 62.1%, Mounjaro®: 56.5%) and increased satiety by 63.5% (Wegovy®: 66.8%, Ozempic®: 58.8%, Mounjaro®: 63.1%). Additionally, 21.3% reported increased sweet taste perception and 22.6% reported increased salty taste perception. Independent of the type of therapy, increased sweet taste perception was significantly associated with increased satiety (adjusted odds ratios [ AOR] = 2.02; 95% CI : 1.15–4.57), decreased appetite ( AOR = 1.67; 95% CI : 1.04–3.25) and decreased craving ( AOR = 1.85; 95% CI : 1.05–3.29). Increased salty taste perception was associated with increased satiety ( AOR = 2.17; 95% CI : 1.16–5.17; all p < 0.05). Conclusions Self‐reported changes in taste perception during GLP‐1 or dual GIP/GLP‐1 RAS therapy were associated with favourable appetite‐related outcomes, suggesting a potential mechanism contributing to treatment response.