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Evidence Watch · Peer-reviewed trial

14.9% Average Loss With Semaglutide at 68 Weeks

The STEP 1 trial is a foundational peer-reviewed study of once-weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg with lifestyle intervention. Its result describes an average trial outcome under a specific eligibility, dosing, and follow-up protocol—not a promise of a particular outcome from an online program.

Last reviewed September 2026
1 study cited
New England Journal of MedicineDouble-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial68 weeks
The study result

Mean body-weight change was −14.9% with semaglutide and −2.4% with placebo.

More participants receiving semaglutide reached 5%, 10%, and 15% weight-reduction thresholds than those receiving placebo. Nausea and diarrhea were the most common adverse events; they were generally transient and mild to moderate, and more semaglutide participants discontinued because of gastrointestinal events.

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Turn the study result into a better program comparison

Ready to compare GLP-1 programs? Use the review details to separate the questions a trial does not settle: monthly price terms, brand-name versus compounded product status, clinical follow-up, and each provider’s checkout requirements. The programs below have category-matched GLP-1 offers and are not study-endorsed.

01
WellMedr logo
WellMedr

From $49 – $129/mo · Editorial score 4.7/5

Featured value terms: semaglutide $49/mo or tirzepatide $89/mo with 12-month prepayment; $99/$129 month to month.

Semaglutide at WellMedr
02
Strut Health logo
Strut Health

From $149 – $399/mo · Editorial score 4.6/5

Semaglutide at Strut Health
03
Trimi logo
Trimi

From $99 – $125/mo · Editorial score 4.8/5

Tirzepatide at Trimi
04
Telos Rx logo
Telos Rx

From $49 – $399/mo · Editorial score 3.9/5

Tirzepatide at Telos Rx
05
HealthRx logo
HealthRx

From $99 – $209/mo · Editorial score 4.1/5

Semaglutide at HealthRx
06
Cielo Health logo
Cielo Health

From $115 – $299/mo · Editorial score 4.4/5

Tirzepatide at Cielo Health

We may earn a commission through provider links. Matching affiliate offers and editorial priorities affect inclusion and suggested order in commercial guides. Scores are not clinical endorsements. Disclosure · Methodology

Study details

Population
1,961 adults with obesity or overweight plus a weight-related condition, without diabetes
Follow-up
68 weeks
Treatment comparison
Once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg compared with placebo, alongside lifestyle intervention
Study design
Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
Care and plan considerations

A study result is not a personal treatment plan

Semaglutide availability, prescription appropriateness, insurance terms, and dose progression must be evaluated by a licensed clinician. A provider’s online intake process cannot predict whether an individual will be prescribed a particular medication or achieve the study-average result.

Compare semaglutide and tirzepatide programs

What this result does not show

  • The trial studied once-weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg with lifestyle intervention, not every semaglutide formulation or care model.
  • Participants did not have diabetes and met specific BMI and clinical eligibility criteria.
  • Average results do not determine an individual’s eligibility, coverage, medication access, side-effect profile, or outcome.
  • The study was funded by Novo Nordisk; the paper, protocol, and disclosures are linked at the end of this article.
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Study & references

Primary peer-reviewed source

Wilding et al., NEJM 2021 · STEP 1

Read the full paper, methodology, conflict-of-interest disclosures, and supplementary materials before drawing conclusions beyond this plain-English summary.

Read the study at New England Journal of Medicine