Changes in eating behavior and diet-related quality of life in individuals treated with tirzepatide for type 2 diabetes.

AIMS: We investigated changes in eating behavior associated with the administration of tirzepatide and evaluated any changes in diet-related QOL due to tirzepatide. METHODS: The study included 60 outpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who had been on tirzepatide for 3 months. The changes in body weight and HbA1c levels of all participants were observed for 3 months following the initiation of tirzepatide treatment. Simultaneously, we conducted a questionnaire survey that included questions on their eating behavior (Eating Behavior Questionnaire) and diet-related quality-of-Life (DDRQOL). RESULTS: HbA1c levels significantly reduced after the first month of administration from 7.40 ± 1.58% at the start to 6.78 ± 0.99% after 3 months (p < 0.001). Body weight also significantly decreased from 80.7 ± 13.2 kg at the start to 78.3 ± 12.9 kg after 3 months (p < 0.001). The total Eating Behavior Questionnaire score significantly reduced from 52.9 ± 10.9 points to 47.7 ± 9.9 points after 3 months (p < 0.001). There was a strong positive correlation only between the variations of the total score of the Eating Behavior Questionnaire and weight variations (r = 0.363, p = 0.005). Regarding the scores by subscales of DDRQOL, "Satisfaction with diet" changed from 75.3 ± 14.5 points at the start to 73.9 ± 14.8 points after 3 months, showing no significant changes (p = 0.335). "Burden of diet therapy" significantly increased from 50.8 ± 14.9 points to 56.1 ± 15.9 points (p = 0.002), as did "Perceived merits of diet therapy" from 57.9 ± 13.9 points to 61.8 ± 11.2 points (p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Administration of tirzepatide improved eating behavior, leading to increased diet-related QOL and decreased HbA1c levels and body weight.