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Novo Nordisk semaglutide trial shows success in treating pediatric obesity
Novo Nordisk has announced results from its phase 3 STEP Young clinical trial, evaluating the efficacy of once-weekly semaglutide in children aged 6 to under 12 living with obesity. The trial met its primary endpoint, demonstrating significant body mass index (BMI) reduction compared to a placebo group.
After 68 weeks of treatment, 40.4% of children in the semaglutide group were no longer classified as having obesity, having moved into normal-weight or overweight categories. In contrast, none of the children in the placebo group achieved this reduction. Both groups participated in lifestyle modifications, including increased physical activity and a reduced-calorie diet.
At the start of the study, more than 85% of the 165 participants were classified as having class II or III severe obesity. Novo Nordisk reported that the safety and tolerability of the medication were consistent with previous adult and adolescent trials, with no new concerns identified regarding growth or pubertal development. Detailed data is expected to be presented at ObesityWeek 2026 in Washington, D.C., this November.
Entities
Ania M. Jastreboff · Martin Holst Lange · Novo Nordisk · STEP Young · U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · Yale Obesity Research Center · Yale School of Medicine · semaglutide
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] More than 85% of the 165 children enrolled in the trial had class II or III severe obesity at the start of the study. nordiclifescience.org · uaenews247.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Both the semaglutide and placebo groups received lifestyle modifications, including a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. nordiclifescience.org · uaenews247.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Zero children in the placebo group were no longer classified as having obesity after 68 weeks. nordiclifescience.org · uaenews247.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] 40.4% of children aged 6 to under 12 treated with once-weekly semaglutide were no longer classified as having obesity after 68 weeks. nordiclifescience.org · uaenews247.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Novo Nordisk announced the first results from its phase 3 STEP Young trial. nordiclifescience.org · uaenews247.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Detailed results from the trial will be presented at ObesityWeek 2026 in Washington, D.C., from November 14 to 17. nordiclifescience.org
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The safety and tolerability of semaglutide were consistent with previous trials, with no new concerns identified regarding growth or pubertal development. nordiclifescience.org