Some of these participants took 2.4 mg of semaglutide per week, while others took a placebo for 68 weeks.

At the end of 68 weeks, the group taking semaglutide had lost an average of 16 percent of their starting body weight, while the placebo group had lost just 5.7 percent.

In addition, 86.6 percent of the semaglutide group lost at least 5 percent of their starting body weight, while only 47.6 percent of the placebo group reached the same milestone.

In Phase 4 of the STEP trial (STEP4), 902 participants participated.

During the first 20 weeks of the trial, all participants took 2.4mg of semaglutide per week.

Some patients continued to take 2.4mg of semaglutide, while others switched to a placebo for the remaining 48 weeks.

The results of STEP 4 showed that the semaglutide group had a total (mean) 17.4% reduction in starting weight, compared with only 5% reduction in starting weight in the placebo group.

This supports the case for semaglutide to be taken long-term rather than as a short-term treatment, but since obesity is often a chronic condition, it makes sense to provide long-term support.

There is currently no guidance on how long people should take semaglutide when losing weight, but you and your prescribing doctor should discuss this regularly based on your progress.

Most people who lose weight using semaglutide are able to lose at least 5% of their body weight within 12 weeks of receiving the treatment (not including the drip period)

This is currently the standard for most weight loss drugs in the UK.

People who do achieve 5% weight loss in the first 12 weeks can continue taking semaglutide for sale, but those who don't usually get other advice, such as alternative weight loss medications or even surgery to help with weight loss, such as bariatric surgery.

One thing we'll say about all weight loss methods is that it's easy to fall into the trap of comparing your journey to someone else's

No one lives in your body and no one knows it better than you do. As long as you do what's right for you and make healthy lifestyle changes, you'll make incredible progress.