Effect of once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide on abdominal visceral fat area in Japanese adults with overweight and obesity: A post hoc analysis of the STEP 6 trial.

Kadowaki T, Nishida T, Ogawa W, Overvad M, Tobe K, Yamauchi T

Obesity research & clinical practice1 Mar 2025Cited by 6 (Europe PMC)

PMID40189961DOI10.1016/j.orcp.2025.03.003PepBankPUB-40189961

Publisher page PubMedAsk about this study

Summary

ObjectiveA post hoc analysis of a subset of participants with visceral fat area (VFA) measurements in the STEP 6 trial was conducted to examine both the correlation between VFA and clinical parameters and the effect of semaglutide on VFA in key subgroups.MethodsParticipants were Japanese adults aged ≥ 20 years with obesity disease, randomized to once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg, semaglutide 1.7 mg, or placebo, plus lifestyle recommendations, for 68 weeks. Correlation between baseline VFA (and change in VFA from baseline to week 68) and clinical parameters (body weight, body mass index [BMI], waist circumference, hepatic parameters, glycated hemoglobin, blood pressure, lipids, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 [PAI-1]) was evaluated. Percentage change in VFA between semaglutide and placebo was compared across subgroups.ResultsAmong 180 participants (semaglutide 2.4 mg, n = 89; semaglutide 1.7 mg, n = 46; placebo, n = 45), mean VFA was 170.0 cm² across subgroups. A positive correlation (Pearson's correlation coefficient [r] ≥0.3) was observed between baseline VFA and body weight (r = 0.415), BMI (r = 0.374), and both JASSO and WHO criterion waist circumference (r = 0.458 and r = 0.555). Correlation between changes in VFA and body weight, waist circumference, high-density and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, PAI-1, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine transaminase were observed in ≥ 1 treatment arm. Semaglutide 2.4 mg and 1.7 mg reduced VFA compared with placebo in all subgroups.ConclusionsVFA partially correlated with clinical parameters in Japanese adults with obesity disease. Subcutaneous semaglutide was an efficacious treatment option for the reduction of VFA, regardless of clinical characteristics.Trial registry nameCT.gov TRIAL REGISTRATION IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: NCT03811574.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study9

2 results from studies that gave the peptide. 2 results from people.

01HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In Japanese adults with obesity disease, semaglutide 2.4 mg reduced visceral fat area more than placebo in all subgroups.
In plain wordsIn Japanese adults with obesity, semaglutide 2.4 mg reduced belly (visceral) fat more than placebo in every subgroup.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
DecreaseVisceral fat area reduction across subgroups, semaglutide 2.4 mg
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
2.4 mg once weekly · subcutaneous · 68 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Semaglutide 2.4 mg and 1.7 mg reduced VFA compared with placebo in all subgroups.
3 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Percentage change in VFA between semaglutide and placebo was compared across subgroups.
Summary · context
Participants were Japanese adults aged ≥ 20 years with obesity disease, randomized to once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg, semaglutide 1.7 mg, or placebo, plus lifestyle recommendations, for 68 weeks.
Summary · context
Among 180 participants (semaglutide 2.4 mg, n = 89; semaglutide 1.7 mg, n = 46; placebo, n = 45), mean VFA was 170.0 cm² across subgroups.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4018996101
02HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In Japanese adults with obesity disease, semaglutide 1.7 mg reduced visceral fat area more than placebo in all subgroups.
In plain wordsIn Japanese adults with obesity, semaglutide 1.7 mg reduced belly (visceral) fat more than placebo in every subgroup.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
DecreaseVisceral fat area reduction across subgroups, semaglutide 1.7 mg
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
1.7 mg once weekly · subcutaneous · 68 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Semaglutide 2.4 mg and 1.7 mg reduced VFA compared with placebo in all subgroups.
3 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Percentage change in VFA between semaglutide and placebo was compared across subgroups.
Summary · context
Participants were Japanese adults aged ≥ 20 years with obesity disease, randomized to once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg, semaglutide 1.7 mg, or placebo, plus lifestyle recommendations, for 68 weeks.
Summary · context
Among 180 participants (semaglutide 2.4 mg, n = 89; semaglutide 1.7 mg, n = 46; placebo, n = 45), mean VFA was 170.0 cm² across subgroups.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4018996102

Studies that did not test the peptide alone7

In this study, Semaglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Semaglutide.

03HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneRandomized controlled trialOther
At baseline, visceral fat area correlated positively with body weight (r = 0.415).
In plain wordsIn Japanese adults with obesity, more belly fat went with higher body weight before treatment.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
IncreaseBaseline VFA correlation with body weight
Study
n = 180
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Measurements
Pearson r
0.415
baseline VFA vs body weight
Source sentences
Summary
A positive correlation (Pearson's correlation coefficient [r] ≥0.3) was observed between baseline VFA and body weight (r = 0.415)
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Participants were Japanese adults aged ≥ 20 years with obesity disease, randomized to once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg, semaglutide 1.7 mg, or placebo, plus lifestyle recommendations, for 68 weeks.
Summary · context
Among 180 participants (semaglutide 2.4 mg, n = 89; semaglutide 1.7 mg, n = 46; placebo, n = 45), mean VFA was 170.0 cm² across subgroups.
In this study, Semaglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Semaglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4018996103
04HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneRandomized controlled trialOther
At baseline, visceral fat area correlated positively with BMI (r = 0.374).
In plain wordsIn Japanese adults with obesity, more belly fat went with higher BMI before treatment.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
IncreaseBaseline VFA correlation with BMI
Study
n = 180
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Measurements
Pearson r
0.374
baseline VFA vs BMI
Source sentences
Summary
A positive correlation (Pearson's correlation coefficient [r] ≥0.3) was observed between baseline VFA and body weight (r = 0.415), BMI (r = 0.374)
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Participants were Japanese adults aged ≥ 20 years with obesity disease, randomized to once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg, semaglutide 1.7 mg, or placebo, plus lifestyle recommendations, for 68 weeks.
Summary · context
Among 180 participants (semaglutide 2.4 mg, n = 89; semaglutide 1.7 mg, n = 46; placebo, n = 45), mean VFA was 170.0 cm² across subgroups.
In this study, Semaglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Semaglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4018996104
05HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneRandomized controlled trialOther
At baseline, visceral fat area correlated positively with waist circumference by the JASSO criterion (r = 0.458) and the WHO criterion (r = 0.555).
In plain wordsIn Japanese adults with obesity, more belly fat went with a larger waist before treatment.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
IncreaseBaseline VFA correlation with waist circumference
Study
n = 180
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Measurements
Pearson r
0.458
baseline VFA vs JASSO waist circumference
Pearson r
0.555
baseline VFA vs WHO waist circumference
Source sentences
Summary
A positive correlation (Pearson's correlation coefficient [r] ≥0.3) was observed between baseline VFA and body weight (r = 0.415), BMI (r = 0.374), and both JASSO and WHO criterion waist circumference (r = 0.458 and r = 0.555)
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Participants were Japanese adults aged ≥ 20 years with obesity disease, randomized to once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg, semaglutide 1.7 mg, or placebo, plus lifestyle recommendations, for 68 weeks.
Summary · context
Among 180 participants (semaglutide 2.4 mg, n = 89; semaglutide 1.7 mg, n = 46; placebo, n = 45), mean VFA was 170.0 cm² across subgroups.
In this study, Semaglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Semaglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4018996105
06HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneRandomized controlled trialOther
Changes in visceral fat area correlated with changes in body weight and waist circumference in at least one treatment arm.
In plain wordsIn Japanese adults with obesity, changes in belly fat went with changes in body weight and waist size in at least one treatment group.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
Not applicableChange in VFA correlated with change in body weight and waist circumference
Study
n = 180
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Source sentences
Summary
Correlation between changes in VFA and body weight, waist circumference
3 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
were observed in ≥ 1 treatment arm.
Summary · context
Participants were Japanese adults aged ≥ 20 years with obesity disease, randomized to once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg, semaglutide 1.7 mg, or placebo, plus lifestyle recommendations, for 68 weeks.
Summary · context
Among 180 participants (semaglutide 2.4 mg, n = 89; semaglutide 1.7 mg, n = 46; placebo, n = 45), mean VFA was 170.0 cm² across subgroups.
In this study, Semaglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Semaglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4018996106
07HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneRandomized controlled trialOther
Changes in visceral fat area correlated with changes in HDL and VLDL cholesterol and triglycerides in at least one treatment arm.
In plain wordsIn Japanese adults with obesity, changes in belly fat went with changes in blood fats in at least one treatment group.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
Not applicableChange in VFA correlated with change in lipids
Study
n = 180
Outcome group
Lipids · Metabolic and weight
Source sentences
Summary
Correlation between changes in VFA and body weight, waist circumference, high-density and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides
3 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
were observed in ≥ 1 treatment arm.
Summary · context
Participants were Japanese adults aged ≥ 20 years with obesity disease, randomized to once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg, semaglutide 1.7 mg, or placebo, plus lifestyle recommendations, for 68 weeks.
Summary · context
Among 180 participants (semaglutide 2.4 mg, n = 89; semaglutide 1.7 mg, n = 46; placebo, n = 45), mean VFA was 170.0 cm² across subgroups.
In this study, Semaglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Semaglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4018996107
08HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneRandomized controlled trialOther
Changes in visceral fat area correlated with changes in PAI-1 in at least one treatment arm.
In plain wordsIn Japanese adults with obesity, changes in belly fat went with changes in the clotting-related marker PAI-1 in at least one treatment group.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
Not applicableChange in VFA correlated with change in PAI-1
Study
n = 180
Outcome group
Cardiometabolic risk factors · Cardiovascular
Source sentences
Summary
Correlation between changes in VFA and body weight, waist circumference, high-density and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, PAI-1, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine transaminase were observed in ≥ 1 treatment arm.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Participants were Japanese adults aged ≥ 20 years with obesity disease, randomized to once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg, semaglutide 1.7 mg, or placebo, plus lifestyle recommendations, for 68 weeks.
Summary · context
Among 180 participants (semaglutide 2.4 mg, n = 89; semaglutide 1.7 mg, n = 46; placebo, n = 45), mean VFA was 170.0 cm² across subgroups.
In this study, Semaglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Semaglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4018996108
09HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneRandomized controlled trialOther
Changes in visceral fat area correlated with changes in aspartate aminotransferase and alanine transaminase in at least one treatment arm.
In plain wordsIn Japanese adults with obesity, changes in belly fat went with changes in liver enzymes in at least one treatment group.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
Not applicableChange in VFA correlated with change in liver enzymes
Study
n = 180
Outcome group
Liver fat and liver function · Liver
Source sentences
Summary
Correlation between changes in VFA and body weight, waist circumference, high-density and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, PAI-1, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine transaminase were observed in ≥ 1 treatment arm.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Participants were Japanese adults aged ≥ 20 years with obesity disease, randomized to once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg, semaglutide 1.7 mg, or placebo, plus lifestyle recommendations, for 68 weeks.
Summary · context
Among 180 participants (semaglutide 2.4 mg, n = 89; semaglutide 1.7 mg, n = 46; placebo, n = 45), mean VFA was 170.0 cm² across subgroups.
In this study, Semaglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Semaglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4018996109

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Registered trials1

Trials this study reports on, or that list this study as a reference. Registry data from ClinicalTrials.gov.

1 trial · 1 completed · 1 with posted results · source ClinicalTrials.gov (opens in a new tab)

CompletedPhase 3Results postedNCT03811574

STEP 6: Research Study Investigating How Well Semaglutide Works in People Living With Overweight or Obesity

Novo Nordisk A/Sn = 40121 Jan 2019 to 20 Nov 2020

Overweight · Obesity

Trial page ClinicalTrials.govUpdated 22 Mar 2022

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
11 Oct 2026, 00:04 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:06 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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