research
The Hunger Returned Before the Calories Did
After 60 weeks, semaglutide users reported less appetite relief but still ate substantially less than placebo participants.
Summary
After 60 weeks, semaglutide users reported less appetite relief but still ate substantially less than placebo participants.
A Penn Medicine trial followed 120 adults with overweight or obesity receiving weekly semaglutide or placebo plus lifestyle counseling. At weeks 20, 40, and 60, the semaglutide group consumed about 24 to 30 percent fewer calories during laboratory meals. Subjective differences in hunger and food preoccupation faded later, while average weight loss reached 15.1 percent versus 3.4 percent with placebo. The study was partly funded by Novo Nordisk, which the authors say did not control its conduct or reporting.
Why it matters
After 60 weeks, semaglutide users reported less appetite relief but still ate substantially less than placebo participants.
Limits and context
- At weeks 20, 40, and 60, the semaglutide group consumed about 24 to 30 percent fewer calories during laboratory meals.
- The study was partly funded by Novo Nordisk, which the authors say did not control its conduct or reporting.
Key claims
After 60 weeks, semaglutide users reported less appetite relief but still ate substantially less than placebo participants.
Qualification: At weeks 20, 40, and 60, the semaglutide group consumed about 24 to 30 percent fewer calories during laboratory meals.
Evidence: source-2026-07-21-004
Sources
- Penn Medicine via Newswise: Semaglutide and calorie intakePenn Medicine via Newswise · secondary reporting
Corrections
No corrections have been recorded for this story.