Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age ≥ 35 years
* Able to provide informed consent
* BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 or ≥ 27 kg/m2 with metabolic syndrome
* Metabolic syndrome is defined as at least three of the following:3
1. waist circumference \> 102 cm (40 in) in men and 88 cm (35 in) in women
2. triglycerides \> 150 mg/dL or on treatment for hypertriglyceridemia
3. HDL cholesterol \< 40 mg/dL in men and \< 50 mg/dL in women
4. blood pressure \> 130/85 mmHg or on treatment for hypertension
5. fasting glucose \> 100 mg/dL
Exclusion Criteria:
* Treatment with Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (including liraglutide, exenatide or others as they become available), dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors or insulin within the last 3 months.
* Receipt of any anti-obesity drug or supplement within 1 month prior to screening for this trial.
* Self-reported or clinically documented history of significant fluctuations (\>5% change) in weight within 3 months prior to screening for this trial.
* History of diabetes mellitus (type 1 or 2) or on treatment with anti-diabetes medication.
* History of chronic pancreatitis or idiopathic acute pancreatitis (current or prior history).
* History of gallbladder disease (cholelithiasis or cholecystitis).
* Chronic kidney disease stage III or greater (eGFR\<60 mL/min).
* Obesity induced by other endocrinologic disorders (e.g. Cushing Syndrome).
* Current or history of treatment with medications that may cause significant weight gain, within 1 month prior to screening for this trial, including systemic corticosteroids (except for a short course of treatment, i.e., 7- 10 days), tri-cyclic antidepressants, atypical antipsychotic and mood stabilizers (e.g., imipramine, amitryptiline, mirtazapine, paroxetine, phenelzine, chlorpromazine, thioridazine, clozapine, olanzapine, valproic acid and its derivatives, and lithium).
* Diet attempts using herbal supplements or over-the-counter medications within 1 month prior to screening for this trial.
* Current participation in an organized weight reduction program or within the last 1 month prior to screening for this trial.
* Participation in a clinical trial within the last 3 months prior to screening for this trial.
* Familial or personal history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 or familial medullary thyroid carcinoma.
* Personal history of non-familial medullary thyroid carcinoma.
* History of Major Depressive Disorder within the last 2 years.
* History of other severe psychiatric disorders, e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder.
* Any lifetime history of a suicide attempt.
* A history of any suicidal behavior in the last month prior to randomization.
* Surgery scheduled for the trial duration period, except for minor surgical procedures, at the discretion of the Investigator.
* Known or suspected hypersensitivity to trial product(s) or related product(s).
* Known or suspected abuse of alcohol or narcotics.
* Language barrier, mental incapacity, unwillingness or inability to understand.
* Females of childbearing potential who are pregnant, breast-feeding or intend to become pregnant or are not using adequate contraceptive methods. These include abstinence and the following methods: diaphragm with spermicide, condom with spermicide (by male partner), intrauterine device, sponge, spermicide, Norplant®, Depo-Provera® or oral contraceptives.