Research

Barcelona study examines body composition and strength during semaglutide treatment

The observational study adds routine-care data, but its retrospective single-centre design limits causal conclusions.

What happened

Researchers at Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron published a longitudinal analysis of adults with obesity without diabetes who received semaglutide in routine care during 2024–2025.

What we know

The study examined weight, body composition, resting energy expenditure, adaptive thermogenesis and muscle strength together. Its value lies in looking beyond total body weight during follow-up.

Limitations

This was a retrospective single-centre study, not a randomised trial. Patient selection, follow-up losses and simultaneous changes may influence the findings, so the study cannot by itself establish causality.

Why it matters

The paper supports assessing function and body composition rather than the scale alone. It does not establish an individual diet, exercise or treatment protocol.

Transparency

Primary sources

  1. Longitudinal changes in body composition, adaptive thermogenesis and muscle strength

    Obesity Facts / PubMed · 2026-08-25