A recent study warns that children and teenagers using GLP-1 receptor agonists for obesity or diabetes face significant risks of nutrient deficiencies, prompting calls for proactive nutritional management to safeguard their health during critical development years.
Children and teenagers taking GLP-1 receptor agonists for obesity or diabetes may face a meaningful but often overlooked risk of nutritional deficiency, according to research published in Childhood Obesity and highlighted by HealthDay.
The study, led by Kirk W. Kerr of Abbott Nutrition and based on US insurance claims data, reviewed 2,031 patients aged 10 to 17 who were prescribed GLP-1 medicines between 2017 and 2022. Most of the young people in the analysis had obesity, and the drugs most commonly used were liraglutide, dulaglutide and semaglutide, according to the report.
Within a year of starting treatment, 16.88% of the children had been diagnosed with at least one nutritional deficiency or a related complication. Vitamin D deficiency was by far the most common, affecting 12.4% of patients, while nutritional anaemia and iron-deficiency anaemia were also reported. HealthDay said only 23.3% of the group received nutrition therapy or counselling within 180 days, and the first visit typically came nearly five months after treatment began.
The findings fit a broader pattern seen in adults. WebMD and Harvard Health both reported that GLP-1 medicines can reduce appetite and slow digestion, which may lower overall food intake and increase the risk of missing key nutrients. In adults, vitamin D deficiency has also emerged as the most frequent concern, while other reported shortfalls include iron, B vitamins and, in some cases, anaemia.
Justin Ryder, the senior author and a researcher at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, said in a statement that the study should prompt more proactive nutritional management when GLP-1 medicines are prescribed to children. He said the aim should be to prevent harm during what he called a pivotal period in their lives, rather than waiting until a deficiency has already developed.
The report also noted that several authors disclosed financial ties to pharmaceutical companies, including Abbott, which funded the study. For parents and clinicians, the practical takeaway is straightforward: GLP-1 treatment may still be appropriate for some young patients, but dietary monitoring, timely counselling and follow-up on nutrient intake may need to be built into care from the start.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
