Semaglutide (Wegovy®) Significantly Reduces 'Food Noise' and Improves Mental Health in 64% of Patients, INFORM Survey Shows

Recently, Novo Nordisk announced the results of a U.S.-based study on semaglutide (NovoGain) at the 2025 European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting held in Vienna, Austria.®) Results of the INFORM survey conducted on populations managing body weight. The survey results indicate that among those receiving Novo Nordisk®After treatment, the "food noise" experienced by respondents significantly decreased, while mental health levels and lifestyle also showed marked improvement. "Food noise" refers to uncontrollable, persistent thoughts about food. "Food noise" can impact the mental health, quality of life, and weight loss progress of overweight or obese patients.

The survey results show that among those who have received Novo Nordisk®During the treatment period, the proportion of patients troubled by "food noise" decreased by 46% (62% before treatment and 16% during treatment). Before starting the treatment, 60% of the patients reported that "food noise" had a negative impact on their lives. During the treatment with Novo Nordisk,®During treatment, this proportion decreased to 20%.

About two-thirds (64%) of respondents said they had accepted Novo Nordisk.®After treatment, their mental health levels improved. The majority of respondents also reported adopting healthier lifestyles (76%) and habits (80%). Approximately 80% (83%) of patients expressed satisfaction with Novo Nordisk.®Express satisfaction with the treatment outcome.

Filip Knop, PhD, Senior Vice President of Novo Nordisk and soon-to-be Chief Medical Officer, stated: "Patients with overweight and obesity face many challenges in their weight loss journey, one of which is 'food noise.' Excitingly, the latest data shows that, in addition to weight loss effects, Novo Nordisk's®"It also helps alleviate intrusive thoughts about food, improve patients' mental health levels, and assist patients in living a healthier life."

Novo Nordisk continues to study how obesity impacts people's daily lives. At the EASD annual meeting, a research outcome from the STEP UP clinical trial highlighted the effects of semaglutide on eating behavior and dietary control.

Subgroup analysis results from the STEP UP trial showed that, compared with placebo, patients receiving semaglutide 7.2 mg had significantly reduced food cravings, emotional eating behaviors, and uncontrolled eating behaviors. Compared with placebo, semaglutide 7.2 mg was also associated with significant improvements in various indicators of individual dietary control, including hunger, satiety, and specific cravings for starchy, salty, and spicy foods.

The study results further confirm the extensive health benefits of semaglutide beyond weight loss in patients with obesity. The full results of the STEP UP clinical trial and the STEP UP T2D clinical trial were published on September 14, 2025.The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology。

In addition, the STEP UP trial showed that patients receiving higher doses of Novo Nordisk's®Subjects treated with semaglutide 7.2 mg achieved an average weight loss of 21% compared to the placebo group, with one-third of the subjects experiencing a weight reduction of 25% or more.

For overweight or obese patients, maximizing the reduction of body fat rather than lean body mass during weight loss helps improve body composition and maintain physical function. Latest subgroup analysis data from the STEP UP trial show that the weight loss achieved with semaglutide 7.2 mg was primarily (84.5%) due to a reduction in body fat.

Subgroup analysis results of the STEP UP trial showed that changes in lean body mass and muscle mass in subjects receiving semaglutide 7.2 mg were not significantly different compared to the placebo group, and muscle function was maintained (assessed by the sit-to-stand test). Another subgroup analysis of the STEP UP trial indicated that metabolic health markers, including Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, and waist-to-height ratio, improved in subjects treated with semaglutide 7.2 mg, with particularly significant reductions in waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio.