LIVE FROM European Congress on Obesity (ECO) 2026 : Exciting New Wegovy® Data Announced

By Rachael Joy, Chief Clinical Officer at SheMedReporting from the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) 2026, Istanbul

I’m currently attending the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Istanbul, one of the world’s leading obesity and metabolic health conferences, where experts from across the globe are sharing the latest research and innovations in obesity treatment. At SheMed, staying closely connected to the latest clinical evidence is incredibly important to us, not only so we can stay ahead of developments in obesity medicine, but so we can continue improving the care, support, and outcomes we deliver to our members every day

And even on the very first morning, there has already been a major announcement around Wegovy® that I wanted to share with our SheMed members.

Higher-Dose Wegovy® Shows Significant Weight Loss Results

Novo Nordisk presented new data from their STEP UP clinical trial looking at a higher dose of Wegovy® (semaglutide 7.2 mg).

The results showed that people who responded particularly well early in treatment achieved an average 27.7% weight loss over 72 weeks.

What’s also important is that even people who lost weight gradually still achieved meaningful results.

This reflects something we speak about often at SheMed:

Every woman’s journey is different. Some people see changes quickly. Others progress more steadily over time. Both lead to positive health outcomes.

One of the Most Reassuring Findings: Muscle Was Preserved

One of the biggest concerns many women have when losing weight is:

“Am I losing muscle too?”

The new data presented today was really encouraging.

Researchers found that 84% of the weight lost with semaglutide came from body fat reduction, while muscle function was preserved.

This is especially important for women during peri-menopause and menopause, where maintaining muscle health plays a key role in:

• energy levels,

• metabolism,

• strength,

• bone health,

• and healthy ageing.

It’s also why, at SheMed, we focus on much more than just the medication itself.

Why This Matters

What’s becoming increasingly clear here at ECO is that obesity care is evolving. Thankfully the conversation is no longer simply about losing weight quickly.

It’s about:

• improving long-term health,

• preserving muscle and metabolic health,

• supporting emotional wellbeing,

• reducing stigma,

• and importantly helping people build sustainable habits alongside treatment.

That holistic approach is exactly what we believe in at SheMed.

Medication can be an incredibly effective tool, but support, education, nutrition, movement, and understanding your body all matter too.

A Personal Reflection from ECO — Even after just the first morning of the conference, there’s a real sense that we are entering a new era in obesity care. The science is moving fast, but what’s equally encouraging is seeing more focus on personalised care, long-term outcomes, and treating obesity as the complex chronic condition it truly is.

I’ll be sharing more updates from ECO over the next few days, including the latest research and what it could mean for women using GLP-1 medications like Wegovy®.

Thank you for being part of the SheMed community and allowing us to support you on your journey.