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Review Article
Online Published: 18 Jan 2026
 


Semaglutide 2.4 mg for weight loss in overweight adolescents and adults without diabetes: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abdulrahman M. Azab, Hadeel F. Alazwari, Lama Mohammed Alqarni, Emtenan Sulaiman Yamani, Ghaythah Hamed Alkhathami, Raghad Hussain Alkhalifah, Shaimaa Hamza Banaji, Nouf Ahmad Aldhubabian, Sarah Mersal Almehmadi.


Abstract
Background: Obesity, a metabolic disorder, is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality worldwide [15]. Behavioral interventions alone often fail to achieve sustained weight loss [17, 18]. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aims to determine the effect of semaglutide 2.4 mg for weight loss in overweight adolescents and adults without diabetes.
Methodology: A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and randomized controlled trial (RCT) registries, with no time-frame limitation. A total of 593 research papers were retrieved; 12 met the inclusion criteria for systematic review, and 9 were included in the meta-analysis. RevMan version 5.3. was used, with statistical significance set at P < 0.05.
Results: Once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg resulted in significant 10.8% reduction in body weight (95% CI −13.03 to −8.57), a 6.95 cm decrease in waist circumference (95% CI -7.18, -6.72), 3.61 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure (95% CI -4.00, -3.21), a 0.29% decrease in HbA1c (95% CI -0.31, -0.22) and a 36.21% reduction in CRP levels (95% CI -36.35, -36.06), compared to placebo. Gastrointestinal adverse events and treatment discontinuation were more frequent with semaglutide, while hypoglycemia or fatal events showed no significant differences.
Conclusion: Semaglutide 2.4 mg is an effective pharmacologic option for weight reduction in adolescents and adults without diabetes, with significant metabolic benefits. Careful monitoring of gastrointestinal adverse effects remains essential.

Key words: Semaglutide, overweight, adolescent, systemic review, trial, meta-analysis.


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Azab AM, Alazwari HF, Alqarni LM, Yamani ES, Alkhathami GH, Alkhalifah RH, Banaji SH, Aldhubabian NA, Almehmadi SM. Semaglutide 2.4 mg for weight loss in overweight adolescents and adults without diabetes: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. IJMDC. 2026; 10(1): 495-506. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1766048131

Web Style

Azab AM, Alazwari HF, Alqarni LM, Yamani ES, Alkhathami GH, Alkhalifah RH, Banaji SH, Aldhubabian NA, Almehmadi SM. Semaglutide 2.4 mg for weight loss in overweight adolescents and adults without diabetes: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. https://www.ijmdc.com/?mno=303673 [Access: January 25, 2026]. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1766048131

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Azab AM, Alazwari HF, Alqarni LM, Yamani ES, Alkhathami GH, Alkhalifah RH, Banaji SH, Aldhubabian NA, Almehmadi SM. Semaglutide 2.4 mg for weight loss in overweight adolescents and adults without diabetes: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. IJMDC. 2026; 10(1): 495-506. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1766048131


Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Azab AM, Alazwari HF, Alqarni LM, Yamani ES, Alkhathami GH, Alkhalifah RH, Banaji SH, Aldhubabian NA, Almehmadi SM. Semaglutide 2.4 mg for weight loss in overweight adolescents and adults without diabetes: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. IJMDC. (2026), [cited January 25, 2026]; 10(1): 495-506. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1766048131


Harvard Style

Azab, A. M., Alazwari, . H. F., Alqarni, . L. M., Yamani, . E. S., Alkhathami, . G. H., Alkhalifah, . R. H., Banaji, . S. H., Aldhubabian, . N. A. & Almehmadi, . S. M. (2026) Semaglutide 2.4 mg for weight loss in overweight adolescents and adults without diabetes: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. IJMDC, 10 (1), 495-506. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1766048131


Turabian Style

Azab, Abdulrahman M., Hadeel F. Alazwari, Lama Mohammed Alqarni, Emtenan Sulaiman Yamani, Ghaythah Hamed Alkhathami, Raghad Hussain Alkhalifah, Shaimaa Hamza Banaji, Nouf Ahmad Aldhubabian, and Sarah Mersal Almehmadi. 2026. Semaglutide 2.4 mg for weight loss in overweight adolescents and adults without diabetes: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 10 (1), 495-506. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1766048131


Chicago Style

Azab, Abdulrahman M., Hadeel F. Alazwari, Lama Mohammed Alqarni, Emtenan Sulaiman Yamani, Ghaythah Hamed Alkhathami, Raghad Hussain Alkhalifah, Shaimaa Hamza Banaji, Nouf Ahmad Aldhubabian, and Sarah Mersal Almehmadi. "Semaglutide 2.4 mg for weight loss in overweight adolescents and adults without diabetes: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 10 (2026), 495-506. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1766048131


MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Azab, Abdulrahman M., Hadeel F. Alazwari, Lama Mohammed Alqarni, Emtenan Sulaiman Yamani, Ghaythah Hamed Alkhathami, Raghad Hussain Alkhalifah, Shaimaa Hamza Banaji, Nouf Ahmad Aldhubabian, and Sarah Mersal Almehmadi. "Semaglutide 2.4 mg for weight loss in overweight adolescents and adults without diabetes: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 10.1 (2026), 495-506. Print. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1766048131


APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Azab, A. M., Alazwari, . H. F., Alqarni, . L. M., Yamani, . E. S., Alkhathami, . G. H., Alkhalifah, . R. H., Banaji, . S. H., Aldhubabian, . N. A. & Almehmadi, . S. M. (2026) Semaglutide 2.4 mg for weight loss in overweight adolescents and adults without diabetes: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 10 (1), 495-506. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1766048131




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