Results Not Typical What We Don't Hear About GLP-1s: Mental Health & Identity with Kate Lyman
Are you considering GLP-1 medications like Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, or Zepbound for weight loss, or do you know someone who is? This conversation provides a nuanced conversation about GLP-1s and considerations around starting them.
In this episode, host Nikki Naab-Levy chats with Kate Lyman, a nutrition coach with a Master's in public health about the unspoken potential ramifications of using these drugs, from a mental health and behavior change perspective.
In this episode, you'll learn:
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The difference between the clinical and social media definitions of "food noise".
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Why weight loss on a GLP-1 does not automatically equate to better body image or health.
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The potential for GLP-1s to replace "food noise" with new fixations or obsessions in (e.g., scale-watching, body composition) in some individuals.
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The mixed mental health outcomes of GLP-1s, including studies linking them to an elevated risk of anxiety, major depression, and suicidal behavior in some populations, while others (like those with binge eating disorder) may see positive benefits.
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Recommended lifestyle support and interventions that can be used alongside medication to ensure fat loss while protecting and maintaining muscle mass and bone density.
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The importance of having coping tools outside of food when a previous coping mechanism is removed.
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The cultural and identity shifts that often come with rapid body weight loss and being treated differently by the outside world.
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Why these medications are currently intended for long-term use and aren't necessarily an appropriate intervention for all individuals.
Timestamps
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00:00 | Intro: Cultural Context, Mental Health, and Nuance about Who Should or Shouldn't Take GLP-1s.
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00:40 | Introducing Kate Lyman: Behavioral Health Expert & Nutrition Coach
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03:00 | The Need for Education and Behavioral Support with GLP-1s
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05:23 | Weight Loss Doesn't Automatically Equal Health: Coping Tools Outside of Food
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06:44 | Defining Food Noise Beyond Pop Culture and Social Media
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09:41 | The Potential for Obsession Shifts: Food Noise Replaced by Scale Focus
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14:56 | Mental Health & GLP-1s: What the Literature Says About Anxiety & Depression
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24:10 | Essential Lifestyle Pillars: Protein, Strength Training, and Water Intake
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28:06 | The Long-Term Reality of Taking a GLP-1 to Maintain Weight Loss
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40:04 | The Role of Stigma & Weight Bias in Influencing GLP-1 Usage
Connect with Kate
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Name: Kate Lyman
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Instagram: @klnutrition
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Website: https://www.katelymannutrition.com/
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Podcast: How to Fitness Podcast
Research Studies & Papers Referenced
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What Is Food Noise? A Conceptual Model of Food Cue Reactivity [PMID: 38004203]
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Association of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists With Risk of Suicidal Ideation and Behaviour: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis [PMID: 39945396]
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Use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in eating disorder populations [PMID: 38135891]
Connect with Nikki
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Instagram: @naablevyfitness
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Website: http://naablevy.com
Free Nutrition & Fitness Resources