New study from Voy shows that patients taking a GLP-1 drug who engaged with coaching sessions and app-based support over the course of 12 months achieved a 30% higher relative body weight loss compared to those using medication alone.
(London, January 15, 2026) Voy, the digital health provider, has announced the publication of a new study in the Journal of Medical Internet Research analyzing the efficacy of a GLP-1 drug for achieving weight loss results in patients who engage regularly with a supporting coaching program compared to patients who rely on the medication alone.
The large-scale study examined the progress of over 126,000 UK-based Voy patients using tirzepatide over the course of a 12-month period. Findings showed that “engaged” patients—those who attended coaching sessions and made regular use of weekly weight logs and in-app support services—achieved an average of 24.2% body weight loss compared to a 19% loss by “unengaged” patients relying on the drug alone.
Patients actively using Voy’s program were also three times more likely to lose over 20% of their body weight compared to patients using the tirzepatide drug alone. These findings suggest that digital engagement in conjunction with tirzepatide treatment presents one of the fastest pathways to over 20% weight loss results seen for the drug to date across existing clinical trial data.
Voy, a specialist weight loss provider, delivers patient programs that go beyond the medication alone. Patients can access bespoke treatment plans, lifestyle behavior change support, and clinical and coaching support via a multidisciplinary team of experts throughout their weight loss journey.
Patient progress was assessed at 1-month intervals over the course of the year-long study, and the differences in results experienced by “engaged” and “unengaged” patients began to emerge as early as month two. The efficacy gap continued to widen steadily over the course of 12 months, with “engaged” patients achieving results and reaching weight loss thresholds such as 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% faster than “unengaged” patients.
“Engaged” Voy patients were more than twice as likely as “unengaged” patients to remain on the program and provide 12-month follow-up data, suggesting a link between engagement and long-term treatment continuation. This insight gives further credence to the importance of commitment and consistency for patients during a weight loss medication course and highlights the role of coaching and support in achieving their long-term health goals.
The release of the study comes as Voy publishes its own end-of-year report data on the success of its “more than medication” model.
Dr Earim Chaudry, Chief Medical Officer at Voy, said: “GLP-1 medication undeniably produces great results—but in order for patients to achieve and maintain their goals long-term, support needs to go much deeper. For the medication to reach its full potential, we need to deliver a holistic treatment approach, with coaching that addresses a range of factors from lifestyle to mentality, to facilitate and sustain change over time.
“The difference in the results experienced is emphatic, even in the shorter term—but commitment will be the real driver of progress for GLP-1 patients. Voy offers a platform of support to motivate patients throughout their treatment to facilitate consistent program engagement. Without this, patients are quick to give up on medication or keen to come off of the drugs as soon as possible after noticing progress, but this approach is not conducive to the achievement of crucial health objectives.”
Dr David Huang, Director of Clinical Innovation at Voy, said: “At a time when the use of GLP-1s has grown dramatically, the findings published today offer a fresh insight into how this emerging treatment option stands to make the greatest positive impact. For many patients, medication is the catalyst, but the efficiency and efficacy of treatment relies greatly on the broader approach to weight-loss programs and will be the driver of long-term positive results that go beyond what medication can achieve alone.”
Original article:
Johnson H, Clift AK, Reisel D, Huang D. Digital engagement significantly enhances weight loss outcomes in adults with obesity treated with tirzepatide: retrospective cohort study of a digital weight loss service. J Med Internet Res. 2025.
doi: 10.2196/83718
Notes to Editor
About the research
The study, titled “Digital Engagement Significantly Enhances Weight Loss Outcomes in Adults With Obesity Treated With Tirzepatide: Retrospective Cohort Study of a Digital Weight Loss Service,” was published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research on January 15, 2026. It analyzed the effect of digital engagement among patients using the weight loss drug tirzepatide on the efficacy of the medication for weight loss outcomes. Results found that patients who were classed as “engaged”—those who attended at least one coaching session, completed at least one weight log per week, and logged into the app at least once over the course of 12 months—achieved weight loss milestones significantly faster than “unengaged” patients who relied on the drug alone (losing 24.2% body weight on average vs 19%).
The study provides strong evidence for the importance of consistency and engagement by patients throughout the course of their weight loss medication program and will inform the future development of care plans for patients taking GLP-1 drugs.
About Voy
Voy is redesigning health care from the ground up. Founded in 2022 with a focus on weight loss, Voy merged with MANUAL in 2025 to expand into a broader range of health categories. Headquartered in London, Voy operates across the United Kingdom and Brazil and supports over 1 million members worldwide.
The brand specializes not just in treating conditions, but in providing the tools, medication, support, and motivation to help people feel better every day, at every stage of life.
Today, Voy offers comprehensive care across weight loss, menopause, and Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT), with new categories launching soon.