Both oral and subcutaneous semaglutide significantly reduced fat mass and improved metabolic parameters in obese type 2 diabetes patients over 24 weeks.
Both formulations effectiveDaily oral and weekly subcutaneous semaglutide both significantly reduced fat mass, not just total weight
What the researchers found
Both oral and subcutaneous semaglutide significantly reduced fat mass and improved metabolic parameters in adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes over 24 weeks.
Why it matters
Knowing that semaglutide reduces fat specifically — not just total weight — is important because fat loss drives the metabolic health benefits, while muscle preservation maintains function and metabolism.
The numbers in context
24-week study in adults with type 2 diabetes and BMI ≥ 30 kg/m². Both daily oral and weekly subcutaneous semaglutide were used. Body composition measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis.
How the study worked
24-week quasi-experimental retrospective study using bioelectrical impedance analysis to measure body composition changes.
Who was studied
Adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²)
What this study cannot tell us
Retrospective study design without randomization to oral versus subcutaneous groups. Bioelectrical impedance is less precise than DEXA scanning for body composition.
How to read the evidence
Rated moderate: quasi-experimental retrospective study with body composition data, but non-randomized comparison between oral and subcutaneous groups.
When this study was published
Published in 2024. Adds body composition data to the growing evidence base for semaglutide in both formulations.
The bigger picture
Knowing semaglutide reduces fat specifically (not just weight) and that this occurs with both oral and injectable forms helps patients and doctors choose the most appropriate formulation without worrying about differential body composition effects.
Questions still open
- Does one formulation produce better fat loss than the other?
- Would longer treatment duration show continued fat loss or a plateau?
Common questions
Does semaglutide reduce fat or muscle?
Does the oral pill work as well as the injection?
Read the original research
Transforming body composition with semaglutide in adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Frontiers in endocrinology, 15, 1386542
Citation
Rodríguez Jiménez, Beatriz; Rodríguez de Vera Gómez, Pablo; Belmonte Lomas, Samuel; Mesa Díaz, Ángel Manuel; Caballero Mateos, Irene; Galán, Irene; Morales Portillo, Cristóbal; Martínez-Brocca, María Asunción. (2024). Transforming body composition with semaglutide in adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus.. Frontiers in endocrinology, 15, 1386542. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2024.1386542