01 BRITISH SOCIETY OF LIFESTYLE MEDICINE CONFERENCE | SEPTEMBER 2026
Integrating Tirzepatide & Lifestyle Medicine in Primary Care
The MaLMOUN Project
A conference presentation at the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine Conference 2026.
This presentation explores the MaLMOUN Project, an innovative primary care programme combining tirzepatide (GLP-1/GIP therapy) with a structured Lifestyle Medicine intervention. Developed in Stoke-on-Trent, the project examined whether combining pharmacotherapy with intensive lifestyle support could improve long-term outcomes for people living with Type 2 Diabetes and obesity.
02 AT A GLANCE
Who and where
Delivered through Mayfield Surgery in Stoke-on-Trent, the programme supported adults living with Type 2 Diabetes and obesity within a community experiencing significant socioeconomic deprivation. Over half of the practice population falls within the national CORE20 population.
What we delivered
Participants received six structured Lifestyle Medicine sessions alongside tirzepatide treatment, combining group consultations, supervised exercise and education across all six pillars of Lifestyle Medicine.
Key Finding
Participants who tolerated tirzepatide experienced substantial improvements in HbA1c, weight and waist circumference, demonstrating the potential of combining targeted pharmacotherapy with structured Lifestyle Medicine support.
03 CONTEXT & APPROACH
GLP-1 therapies are transforming the treatment of obesity and Type 2 Diabetes. However, medication alone is unlikely to address the behavioural, social and lifestyle factors that contribute to long-term health.
The MaLMOUN Project explored how combining medication with a structured Lifestyle Medicine programme could help people build sustainable habits, improve metabolic health and support lasting behaviour change.
Why this work matters
Adults living with Type 2 Diabetes who met defined clinical criteria participated in a structured nine-month programme.
The intervention combined:
Tirzepatide treatment with GP oversight
Six fortnightly group sessions
Supervised resistance and cardiovascular exercise
Lifestyle Medicine education across all six pillars
Health coaching and ongoing support delivered in a community setting
Attendance formed part of the treatment pathway, helping maintain engagement alongside medication.
What we did
04 FINDINGS
The evaluation included 16 participants, with 13 (81%) successfully tolerating tirzepatide throughout the programme.
Among participants completing the programme, significant improvements were observed across multiple clinical outcomes:
Mean HbA1c reduced from 86 mmol/mol to 55 mmol/mol across the whole cohort.
Participants who tolerated tirzepatide experienced a mean HbA1c reduction from 84 mmol/mol to 45 mmol/mol.
Mean weight reduced by 15.6 kg over nine months.
Mean waist circumference reduced by 15.2 cm.
Improvements were also observed in sleep, fruit and vegetable intake, mental health and participants' confidence in managing their own health.
What we observed
05 IMPLICATIONS
The MaLMOUN Project demonstrates the potential of combining targeted pharmacotherapy with structured Lifestyle Medicine support within primary care.
Rather than viewing medication and Lifestyle Medicine as competing approaches, the programme explored how they can work together—supporting clinical improvements while helping people develop the knowledge, confidence and behaviours needed to sustain better health over time.
What this means for practice
06 SOURCE AND CREDITS
Presented at the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine Conference 2026
Authors
Zara Gandon, Dai Evans, Camille Hirons and Jon Scragg
Explore the presentation
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Methods
The programme recruited adults with Type 2 Diabetes, HbA1c greater than 58 mmol/mol, BMI greater than 35 kg/m² and receiving the maximum tolerated dose of metformin.
Participants attended six fortnightly evening sessions delivered within a community venue. Sessions combined medication reviews, supervised exercise and Lifestyle Medicine education, facilitated by a Health Coach with GP oversight.
Headline Results
Cohort: 16 participants.
81% tolerated tirzepatide.
Significant reductions in HbA1c, weight and waist circumference.
Significant improvements in mental health, sleep, fruit and vegetable intake and participants' confidence in managing their own health over the course of the programme.
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Presentation
British Society of Lifestyle Medicine Conference 2026
Presentation title
Integrating Tirzepatide & Lifestyle Medicine in Primary Care: The MaLMOUN Project.
Authors
Zara Gandon, Dai Evans, Camille Hirons and Jon Scragg.
Copyright
© 2026 Lifestyle Medicine Accelerator. Conference poster reproduced with permission of the authors. Please contact us if you wish to reuse or reproduce this material.
07 NEXT STEP
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