The Combined Lifestyle Intervention (GLI), which supports people in increasing their physical activity and improving their diet, helps individuals with overweight and obesity lose weight and to improve their quality of life. This is what RIVM concludes in its final GLI monitor report. For the first time, differences between participants and non‑participants were also examined. Participants lost more weight than non‑participants. People who used weight‑loss medication alongside the GLI lost more weight than those who did not. Quality of life improved after two years for participants, both with and without weight‑loss medication.
A weight loss of five percent produces noticeable health benefits. Not all participants achieve this after two years; results vary greatly per person. 37 percent of GLI participants lost at least five percent of their body weight after two years. Among people who combined GLI with medication, 62 percent achieved this result.
Comparison between GLI participants and others
Results were also compared with people in the Netherlands who did not participate in the GLI. These were individuals whose weight and BMI had been recorded several times by general practitioners. GLI participants lost an average of two and a half kilograms more than non‑participants.
More people are completing the programme
By the end of 2025, one or more GLI programmes were being offered in nearly every municipality, though not every individual programme was available everywhere. Since 2019, 215,000 people have undergone a GLI intake, of whom 195,000 subsequently started the programme. In total, health insurers have reimbursed about 184 million euros. Over the years, the percentage of people who dropped out early decreased from 49 percent among those who started in 2019 to 35 percent among those who began in 2023. This study does not show whether people maintained their healthy lifestyle after completing the GLI.
Final report in 2027
The report published today is RIVM’s final report on the reach and effectiveness of the GLI. RIVM monitored developments from 2019 to 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS). In 2027, a final report is due on the cost‑effectiveness of the GLI-intervention.