GLP-1 Drugs Could Benefit Millions More People With Overweight, New Study Suggests

GLP-1 medicines such as Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Wegovy (semaglutide) have become widely known for weight management. But could these medicines eventually be considered for more people who are currently outside the usual treatment criteria?

A new study suggests that this may be worth looking into.

Researchers analysed health data from more than 313,000 people in the UK and Denmark. They were particularly interested in people with a BMI between 25 and 26.9 who also had certain cardiovascular risk factors.

The findings were presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) 2026 meeting.

What Did the Study Find?

The researchers looked at people in the overweight BMI range who had either higher remnant cholesterol, low-grade inflammation, or both.

Data came from the UK Biobank and the Copenhagen General Population Study. The analysis included people with a BMI of at least 25 who did not have diabetes or coronary heart disease when they entered the study.

Over the follow-up period, more than 23,000 people developed coronary heart disease.

One finding stood out. Some people with a BMI of 25–26.9 and additional cardiovascular risk factors appeared to have a similar risk of coronary heart disease to people who already fall within existing GLP-1 treatment indications.

That does not mean they would automatically benefit from taking a GLP-1 medicine. It does, however, give researchers another reason to investigate this group.

Why Is This Important?

BMI is often used as part of the assessment for weight-management treatment. At the moment, people with a BMI of 25–26.9 generally fall outside the usual criteria for GLP-1 weight-loss treatment unless other relevant health factors apply.

The study found that around half of the people in this BMI group had either elevated remnant cholesterol, low-grade inflammation, or both.

This raises an interesting question: could some people with overweight and additional heart-health risk factors benefit from earlier intervention?

For now, there is no change to existing treatment recommendations. The researchers say that clinical trials are needed before GLP-1 treatment could be considered more broadly for this group.

What Does This Mean for UK Patients?

If you're in the UK and considering a GLP-1 medicine, it's important not to interpret this study as a new eligibility rule.

Mounjaro and Wegovy are prescribed based on the relevant treatment criteria and an individual's clinical situation. Your BMI is one part of the picture, but your medical history and other health factors can also matter.

So, while this research is interesting, it should be seen as early evidence for further research, rather than a reason to start treatment based on BMI alone.

What About Mounjaro and Wegovy Prices?

For people who already meet the relevant criteria for private GLP-1 treatment, another practical question is often how much will it cost?

Prices can vary between UK pharmacies. And the cheapest advertised price isn't always the final amount you pay, as consultation, prescription or delivery charges may be added.

This is where comparing providers can be useful.

GLP1 Offers allows you to compare Mounjaro and Wegovy prices from UK providers and look at pharmacy information before choosing where to order.

The GLP-1 Offers app can also help you keep track of prices and your treatment in one place.

Could GLP-1 Treatment Be Offered to More People in the Future?

Possibly, but more research is needed first.

This study suggests that some people with a lower level of overweight and certain cardiovascular risk factors may have a level of heart disease risk that deserves further investigation.

The next step would be clinical trials to find out whether treating this group with GLP-1 medicines actually leads to better health outcomes.

For now, the research adds to the growing conversation around GLP-1 medicines, weight management and cardiovascular health. It also shows why looking beyond BMI alone may become increasingly important when researchers assess health risks.