SAN FRANCISCO — MasterClass has launched a new course to help consumers better understand GLP-1 medications and the clinical considerations for their use in weight loss.
“Understanding GLP-1s and Weight Loss” is taught by Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen, an endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist with more than 16 years of experience treating patients with GLP-1 therapies. The course covers the science of weight regulation, common side effects, muscle preservation, and the factors clinicians consider when adjusting GLP-1 doses.
The launch comes as use of the medications continues to expand. MasterClass cited a June 2026 Gallup survey finding that 11% of U.S. adults were taking a GLP-1 medication for weight loss, up from 3% two years earlier. The survey also found that 91% of Americans recognized the medications by name.
Salas-Whalen said patients starting GLP-1 therapy often need more information about what to expect during treatment and how to approach weight management beyond the number on the scale.
The course addresses common patient questions about nausea, fatigue and hair loss, as well as the roles genetics, hormones and environmental factors can play in body weight. Salas-Whalen also discusses protein intake and strength training as strategies to preserve muscle during weight loss.
“A GLP-1 is not a supplement or the diet du jour,” said Salas-Whalen. “It’s a prescription medication treating a chronic condition, and for the first time in history, we have medications designed not just to help people reach their goals, but to help them maintain them.”
The course also explains principles clinicians may consider when evaluating dose escalation, treatment response, and tolerability, with the aim of helping patients have more informed discussions with their healthcare providers.
“The experience and guidance of the clinician prescribing these medications matter enormously,” said Salas-Whalen. “I built this class to give patients the knowledge I want my own patients to have, to understand their treatment, ask better questions and advocate for themselves. An informed patient is an empowered patient.”
The course is available to MasterClass subscribers. MasterClass stated that the program is intended for informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
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