Results
weight loss
The diet-induced weight loss decreased the severity of MetS-Z from 0.57 to 0.06, which was maintained in the placebo and exercise groups after one year. MetS-Z was further decreased by liraglutide (− 0.37, 95% CI − 0.58 to − 0.16, P < 0.001) and the combination treatment (− 0.48, 95% CI − 0.70 to − 0.25, P < 0.001) compared to placebo. Abdominal fat percentage decreased by 2.6, 2.8, and 6.1 percentage points in the exercise, liraglutide, and combination groups compared to placebo, respectively, and hsCRP decreased only in the combination group compared with placebo (by 43%, P = 0.03).