The American journal of clinical nutritionJun 20, 2026

Short- and Long-Term Effects of Semaglutide 2.4 mg on Eating, Appetite, and Food Cravings in a 60-Week Controlled Trial

GLP-1 Therapies Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Jun 22, 2026

Abstract

Participants taking semaglutide 2.4 mg consumed an average of 294.6 kcal less at week 20 compared to those on placebo.

Significant reductions in energy intake were observed in the semaglutide group at weeks 20, 40, and 60.
At week 20, participants on semaglutide reported greater appetite suppression and reduced hunger compared to those on placebo.
No significant differences in appetite outcomes were found between the groups at weeks 40 and 60.
The semaglutide group showed greater reductions in responsiveness to food at weeks 20 and 40.

Simplified

BACKGROUND: Studies of up to 20 weeks have demonstrated reductions in energy intake, appetite, and food reward with semaglutide that may drive initial weight loss. These brief studies could not assess whether semaglutide has long-term effects on eating that support the maintenance of lost weight.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of the present study was to compare short- and long-term energy intake, appetite, and food reward with semaglutide 2.4 mg to placebo.

METHODS: This 60-week, double-blind trial randomized 120 adults with overweight/obesity in a 3:2 ratio to semaglutide 2.4 mg or placebo. In laboratory assessments at weeks 0, 20, 40, and 60, participants rated appetite when fasting and for 4-hours after a standardized breakfast. Energy intake was measured during an ad libitum lunch. Measures of food reward included the Power of Food Scale. Missing data were estimated using jump-to-reference multiple imputation, and ANCOVAs compared the groups in change at each assessment, controlling for baseline.

RESULTS: The semaglutide group had significantly larger reductions from baseline in ad libitum energy intake relative to placebo at weeks 20, 40, and 60, consuming a mean ± SE of 294.6±64.0, 250.1±94.4, and 238.3±92.5 kcal less, respectively. At week 20, semaglutide-treated participants had significantly greater increases from baseline in appetite suppression following the standardized breakfast (MD=2197±823) and greater reductions in past-week hunger (MD=-17.4±4.8) and food preoccupation (MD=-14.9±4.5). However, the groups did not differ significantly in appetite outcomes at weeks 40 or 60. The semaglutide group had greater reductions in responsiveness to food at weeks 20 and 40 (MD=-0.4±0.2 and -0.6±0.2, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, semaglutide 2.4 mg continued to help participants consume fewer calories at 20, 40, and 60 weeks of treatment even though some subjective benefits declined. These findings suggest that reduced energy intake is a central mechanism by which semaglutide both induces and maintains weight loss.

CLINICALTRIALS GOV NUMBER: NCT05548647, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05548647.