Late-stage trial results from Novo Nordisk reveal that semaglutide, combined with lifestyle changes, could enable children aged six to under 12 to move below the clinical threshold for obesity, marking a significant advancement in paediatric weight management.
Novo Nordisk said late-stage trial results suggest semaglutide could help some children with obesity move below the clinical threshold for the condition, adding fresh momentum to the Danish drugmaker’s push into paediatric weight management. The company said the STEP Young study tested once-weekly semaglutide alongside reduced-calorie eating and increased physical activity in children aged six to under 12.
According to Novo Nordisk, the trial reached its main goal, showing a larger fall in body mass index, or BMI, in the semaglutide arm than in the placebo group after 68 weeks. The company said 40.4% of children given the drug were no longer classified as having obesity at the end of the study, compared with none in the placebo group. Both groups received lifestyle advice throughout the trial.
The findings matter because childhood obesity can carry immediate health and psychological risks and often continues into adulthood. Novo Nordisk said most of the children enrolled had severe obesity at the start of the study. The company also said the safety profile and tolerability were in line with earlier semaglutide studies in adults and adolescents, with no new safety concerns identified, including for growth during puberty and adolescence.
Martin Holst Lange, Novo Nordisk’s chief scientific officer and head of research and development, said in a statement that the results reinforce the need for treatment options beyond lifestyle changes alone. The company said the data will be presented at the annual meeting of The Obesity Society during Obesity Week 2026 in Washington in November.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
