Trial results for semaglutide in patients with obesity were posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on 2026-02-10. The study demonstrated that participants receiving semaglutide achieved a mean weight reduction of -4.53%, compared to -0.17% for those on placebo. Significant reductions were also observed in craving, food intake, and real-world food intake.
Background
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue. It is used in the management of various conditions, including obesity.
Trial design
The study (NCT04779697) was a Phase 1 trial that enrolled 96 participants with obesity. The trial aimed to examine the response to a glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue (semaglutide) compared to placebo. The study assessed the impact on craving, hunger, stress, and weight outcomes.
Key results
The trial results showed several differences between the semaglutide (GLP-1a) and placebo groups:
- For 'Change in Craving Score', the semaglutide group showed a mean change of -0.7 score (Standard Deviation: 0.6), compared to -0.3 score (Standard Deviation: 0.4) for placebo. An ANOVA analysis yielded a p-value of 0.001.
- For 'Change in Hunger Score', the semaglutide group showed a mean change of -0.5 score (Standard Deviation: 1.7), compared to -0.1 score (Standard Deviation: 1.7) for placebo. An ANOVA analysis yielded a p-value of 0.27.
- For 'Change in Food Intake', the semaglutide group showed a mean change of -0.4 Kcalories (Standard Deviation: 1.8), compared to 0.4 Kcalories (Standard Deviation: 2.4) for placebo. An ANOVA analysis yielded a p-value of 0.043.
- For 'Change in Food Intake - Real-World', the semaglutide group showed a mean change of -485.7 Kcalories (Standard Deviation: 657.6), compared to -124.5 Kcalories (Standard Deviation: 583.5) for placebo. An ANOVA analysis yielded a p-value of 0.015.
- For 'Change in Stress Score', the semaglutide group showed a mean change of -2.8 score (Standard Deviation: 7.2), compared to -1.7 score (Standard Deviation: 8.1) for placebo. An ANOVA analysis yielded a p-value of 0.53.
- For 'Change in Weight', the semaglutide group showed a mean change of -4.53 percent change (Standard Deviation: 4.59), compared to -0.17 percent change (Standard Deviation: 4.01) for placebo. An ANOVA analysis yielded a p-value of 0.001.
What this means
The results from this Phase 1 trial suggest that semaglutide may have a beneficial impact on weight reduction and several behavioral aspects related to obesity, including cravings and food intake. The observed mean weight reduction of -4.53% in the semaglutide group compared to -0.17% in the placebo group, along with statistically significant reductions in craving, food intake, and real-world food intake, indicates potential for semaglutide in managing obesity. While the change in hunger and stress scores did not reach statistical significance in this analysis, the overall pattern of results supports further investigation into the broader effects of semaglutide on factors contributing to obesity.
Source
The information regarding these trial results was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a public database of clinical studies. The results for study NCT04779697, titled 'GLP-1 Analogue Effects on Food Cues, Stress, Motivation for Highly Palatable Foods, and Weight,' were posted on 2026-02-10 on clinicaltrials.gov.