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The prevalence of obesity and its associated cardiometabolic complications have increased to historic levels in the US, with a disproportionate burden among individuals in minority racial/ethnic groups and those with low socioeconomic status. However, effective therapeutic options for obesity management are limited.
In this study, once weekly 2.4 mg semaglutide injection versus placebo in conjunction with lifestyle modification therapy among non-diabetic individuals with obesity (or BMI ≥27 kg/m2 with comorbidities) caused significant improvements in body weight (15% reduction vs. 2.4% in the placebo arm, over 68 weeks), cardiometabolic risk factors, self-reported physical functioning, and body composition, with low rates of major adverse effects or safety concerns.
Obesity pharmacotherapies, including GLP-1 receptor agonists, are expensive and often not covered by insurance in the US, raising concerns for disparities in access to these medications, especially in populations disproportionately affected by obesity. There is need for improved coverage of these increasingly effective obesity pharmacotherapies, to enhance our ability to manage excess weight in clinical environments.