Ozempic delivers major weight loss in adults over 65, study finds
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- Semaglutide caused participants aged ≥65 to lose an average of >15% of body weight after 68 weeks, far exceeding placebo.
- Study included 358 older adults (248 semaglutide, 110 placebo) from STEP 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, and 9 trials, all with BMI ≥30 or ≥27 with obesity‑related complications.
- Cardiometabolic health measures (blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, hs‑CRP) improved significantly in the semaglutide group versus placebo.
- Prof Luca Busetto of University of Padova led the analysis, with Novo Nordisk providing the drug and sponsoring the study.
- Safety profile was generally favorable, with adverse events comparable to younger participants and no major safety concerns reported.
Why it matters: Older adults with obesity achieve clinically meaningful weight loss and reduced cardiometabolic risk, easing frailty‑related complications; insurers and clinicians gain a proven therapeutic option, significantly improving patient outcomes.
