The increasing use of medicines like Ozempic and Wegovy among children signals a shifting landscape in obesity treatment, prompting experts to stress the importance of careful, long-term management amidst ongoing uncertainties about safety and efficacy in young populations.
The rapid rise of medicines such as Ozempic and Wegovy has changed the way many families think about obesity treatment, and that shift is now reaching paediatric care. According to PolitiFact, the number of adolescents aged 12 to 17 prescribed obesity drugs increased by 300% between 2020 and 2023, after the US Food and Drug Administration expanded approval for that age group. Thousands of children aged 8 to 11 have also received these medicines, even though use in younger children remains off-label in many cases. The World Health Organisation says GLP-1 therapies work by helping regulate blood sugar and appetite, and are intended for long-term use under medical supervision.
For parents, the key point is that there is now some clinical guidance, but not a simple answer. Since 2023, the American Academy of Pediatrics has said doctors may consider GLP-1 medicines as one option for children with obesity, while still treating intensive lifestyle support as the most evidence-backed approach. That kind of programme can involve 26 hours or more of family-based nutrition and physical-activity counselling over three to 12 months, yet it is often difficult to access in practice. Dr Rebecka Peebles, who works in adolescent medicine at Monte Nido, told PolitiFact that prescribing has become more common under the updated guidance, though she emphasised that the decision is significant.
What is still missing is the kind of long-term evidence families often want before starting a child on a powerful medicine. A 2025 review in JAMA Pediatrics identified 18 randomised clinical trials of GLP-1 medicines in people under 18, but many were small and relatively short. Researchers still do not have clear answers about effects on growth, puberty, bone health, nutrition or long-term weight maintenance, especially for children under 12. Dr Fatima Cody Stanford, a Harvard Medical School obesity specialist, said the evidence is helpful but not as long-term as would be ideal for a condition that often starts in childhood.
The medicines are also not designed as quick fixes. Evidence cited by PolitiFact suggests that when adolescents stop taking liraglutide, they often regain weight, and the same pattern is generally seen in adults. The World Health Organisation likewise describes GLP-1 therapies as long-term treatment, not short courses. That reality matters because insurance coverage is patchy, with some plans requiring prior authorisation and proof that a child has already tried lifestyle treatment. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases says these drugs should be used alongside reduced-calorie eating and increased physical activity, not instead of them.
Side effects are another part of the calculation. The most common problems reported in studies are gastrointestinal, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation. More serious but less common risks include pancreatitis, kidney injury and gallbladder problems. Peebles warned that overly rapid weight loss can also raise the risk of malnutrition, and a September 2026 study found nearly 17% of children aged 10 to 17 who started a GLP-1 medicine were diagnosed within a year with at least one nutritional deficiency or related complication. The most common were vitamin D deficiency, nutritional anaemia and iron-deficiency anaemia.
Doctors are also being urged to look for eating-disorder risk before prescribing. Peebles said families should watch for warning signs such as skipped meals, rigid rules around food, constant exercise or frequent weighing. She added that children on these drugs should still be able to eat regular meals and keep up with normal activities. For parents, the broader message is that GLP-1 medicines may have a place in paediatric obesity care, but only as part of careful, supervised treatment that also considers nutrition, mental health and the realities of long-term use.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
