A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics highlights a swift transition in obesity management for young people, with GLP-1 medicines overtaking surgery as the main treatment option in just a few years, raising questions about access and long-term outcomes.
A new study in JAMA Pediatrics suggests that GLP-1 medicines have rapidly overtaken surgery as the main medical treatment for obesity in adolescents and young adults, marking a sharp change in practice over just a few years. Researchers examined real-world treatment patterns in more than 204,000 patients aged 12 to 29 and compared two periods: May to November 2022, before semaglutide was widely available for younger patients, and June 2025 to January 2026, when GLP-1 drugs had become far more established in obesity care.
The shift was pronounced. Exclusive use of GLP-1 medication rose from 88.2% to 96.1% across the study periods, while the share of patients receiving metabolic and bariatric surgery fell from 11.6% to 3.7%. Combination treatment stayed rare, with only a tiny fraction of patients receiving both approaches. UT Southwestern Medical Centre said the analysis reflects a rapid evolution in how clinicians are treating obesity in younger people, while JAMA Pediatrics reported the study was accepted in May and published online in July 2026.
The findings do not mean bariatric surgery has lost its role, however. Surgery remains an established option for some patients with severe obesity, particularly when other treatments have not worked. The new drugs add a non-surgical alternative, which may change how families and doctors weigh risks, benefits and long-term goals. Evidence cited by the American Academy of Family Physicians earlier this year noted that semaglutide and liraglutide are approved for adolescents aged 12 and older, but no obesity medication is approved for children younger than 12.
The study also points to uneven access. Older patients, those with commercial insurance and people living in higher-income neighbourhoods were more likely to receive GLP-1 treatment, suggesting that cost, coverage and healthcare access still shape who benefits from the new therapies. Researchers and medical groups said that more evidence is needed on long-term outcomes, patient preferences and how quickly treatment guidance can keep pace with changing practice. A July analysis in PubMed also found semaglutide 2.4 mg produced the largest reductions in weight, body mass index and waist size in trials involving children and adolescents, underlining why interest in the drugs has surged.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
