The World Health Organization has issued new guidance emphasising non-invasive, family-based strategies for tackling obesity in children under 10, while setting stricter conditions for adolescents considering medical interventions amid rising global obesity rates.
The World Health Organization has issued new guidance on how obesity should be managed in children and adolescents, drawing a hard line against the use of weight-loss drugs, bariatric surgery and weight-management devices in children aged under 10. In recommendations published on 7 October, the agency said care for younger children should focus instead on structured support around diet, physical activity and behaviour change, delivered within the family and primary care setting.
The guidance comes as childhood obesity continues to climb sharply worldwide. WHO said about 170 million people aged 5 to 19 were living with obesity in 2024, up from 31 million in 1990, while the share in that age group rose from 2% to 8%. The agency also said roughly 400 million children and teenagers in the same age band were overweight last year, underscoring the scale of the public-health challenge.
For children aged 0 to 9, WHO says treatment should be rooted in age-appropriate interventions that involve parents and carers. That includes changes to eating habits, more physical activity, less sedentary time, better sleep and practical behaviour support. The agency also points to digital tools that can be used under adult supervision, but it frames obesity care for younger children as something that should be personalised, family-centred and delivered through primary healthcare rather than escalated quickly to medical procedures.
The picture changes for adolescents. WHO says approved medicines may be considered for 10- to 19-year-olds only after a supervised programme combining diet, exercise and behavioural changes has failed to produce the desired result. Bariatric surgery, which alters the stomach or digestive tract to help reduce weight and improve related health problems, may also be considered in severe cases, but only under strict conditions. WHO’s publication on adolescent obesity says these recommendations were developed to support primary-care pathways and to balance benefits, harms, feasibility and the views of young people and their carers.
WHO also says obesity should be treated as a chronic disease linked to complex biological, social, environmental and behavioural factors, rather than as a matter of personal failure. The agency warns that obesity can contribute to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other long-term conditions, while also increasing the risk of stigma, discrimination and bullying. In its latest guidance, WHO urges health workers to look after mental health as well as weight, with early, inclusive and family-engaged support for children and adolescents.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
