Noom offers clinical obesity management program to employers

Noom, a digital platform focused on aiding weight loss, has extended its services to employers with the introduction of Noom Med, a clinical obesity management solution.

The New York City-based Noom assists individuals in establishing healthier habits through the use of psychological tools like food tracking, coaching, and community support. Noom Med, which was previously available exclusively to consumers, encompasses these same features in addition to more extensive clinical assistance. 

Noom Med is accessible to two categories of patients: those with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher and those with a BMI of 27 or higher who have one or more weight-related health conditions. 

Upon joining Noom Med, patients undergo a thorough health assessment conducted by a physician or a physician-supervised nurse practitioner, along with necessary lab work. They subsequently engage in video consultations with the physician to devise an individualised care plan that considers their specific biological factors and objectives. If deemed appropriate, patients may be prescribed medication, such as GLP-1s. They can follow the care plan, which includes educational resources and nutrition and exercise tools, through Noom's mobile application. Once their goals are achieved, Noom Med supports patients in the process of discontinuing medication use.

Dr. Linda Anegawa, chief of medicine at Noom said “Not everybody necessarily needs a GLP-1, so that’s part of the process and part of the value proposition of what we offer,” “The other thing is based on people’s individual characteristics, they might actually do better with a non-GLP-1. For example, if you’re somebody who only gets cravings when you’re stressed as opposed to that gnawing constant physiological hunger that some people have, maybe a GLP-1 isn’t right for you.”

Anegawa also stressed the necessity of providing lifestyle support in addition to GLP-1s. When the Food and Drug Administration approved Wegovy, a GLP-1 medication for chronic weight management, it recommended that the drug be used in conjunction with diet and exercise.