By Julie Russell, Associate Director, Inizio Evoke
Following a whirlwind of activity at #ECO2026 and #FEMHEALTH2026, there is much to reflect on regarding the connection between women’s health and obesity - and reason for cautious optimism about what lies ahead. Growing scientific understanding, increasing healthcare professional interest, and emerging treatment innovations all point toward a future where women’s unique metabolic needs receive greater attention throughout the life course.
Are we on the verge of change?
1. Women’s health is gaining greater prominence in obesity care
Obesity is increasingly being understood as a disease of metabolic dysfunction rather than simply excess weight [1], a perspective that is particularly important in women’s health. Growing healthcare professional interest is bringing increased attention to this intersection, with standing-room-only sessions at ECO signaling real momentum and the potential for women’s health to move from a research subgroup toward a more central focus over time.
2. Obesity and female life stages are deeply interconnected
Women now spend more than half of their adult lives in the menopausal stage, assuming a life expectancy of 83 years [2]. Menopause represents a major metabolic inflection point, with obesity, insulin resistance, and hormonal decline converging to increase cardiovascular risk. [1]˒[3] Cardiovascular disease is already the leading cause of death among women globally. [4]
As understanding of these connections grows, there is increasing recognition of the need for life-stage-specific treatment strategies rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. The emergence of dual- and triple-combination obesity therapies is one example of this shift. [5]
3. Emerging obesity treatment data highlights important benefits for women
In caloric restriction studies, approximately 60% of weight loss comes from fat mass and around 30% from lean mass.[6] This is why recent research examining fat versus muscle loss in obesity treatment has particular relevance for women.⁷
These studies underscore the importance of quality weight loss while preserving muscle mass to support long-term metabolic health and reduce osteoporosis risk.[7] Together, they point toward a future model of care that combines metabolic and hormonal approaches, particularly during perimenopause and menopause.
4. GLP-1 therapies are demonstrating effectiveness across the female life course
GLP-1 therapies have shown effectiveness across multiple stages of the female life course, with emerging evidence suggesting potential synergy when used alongside hormone therapy.
In postmenopausal women, combining hormone therapy with semaglutide was associated with approximately 30% greater weight loss at every time point over a 12-month period compared with semaglutide alone.[8] While these findings come from post hoc analyses, they represent an important first step toward greater focus on women’s midlife health and may signal that the industry is beginning to take this challenge more seriously.[9]˒[10]
5. The best may still be ahead
The obesity treatment landscape is rapidly evolving beyond first-generation GLP-1 therapies, and the field may be approaching a long-overdue shift in focus toward women’s health.
There is hope that the future will bring more disaggregated data, as well as clinical trials designed specifically around different stages of the female life cycle and their metabolic implications.
With both personal and professional interest in women’s health, many across the industry will be watching closely to see what comes next. Because women’s health is human health - and at Inizio Evoke, we believe in Health More Human™.
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References:
[1] Palacios S, et al. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2024;40(1):2312885.
[2] Heart UK. Cardiovascular Health: A Vital Focus in Menopause Care. Accessed June 8, 2026. https://www.heartuk.org.uk/news-and-blogs/menopause2
[3] Stevenson JC, et al. Curr Vasc Pharmacol. 2019;17(6):591-594.
[4] World Heart Federation. Women & CVD. Accessed June 8, 2026. https://world-heart-federation.org/what-we-do/women-cvd/
[5] Zhang J, et al. Endocrinology. 2025;166(11):bqaf130.
[6] Mocciaro G, et al. BMJ Nutr Prev Health. 2025;8(1):e001206.
[7] Harper ME, et al. Diabetes. 2025;74(12):2191-219.
[8] Hurtado MD, et al. Menopause. 2024;31(4):266-274.
[9] Argyrakopoulou G, et al. Presented at the 33rd European Congress on Obesity (ECO), 12-15 May 2026, Istanbul, Turkey.
[10] Hurtado MD, et al. Presented at the 43rd Annual Meeting of The Obesity Society (TOS) held at ObesityWeek®, November 4-7, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA.