Prescriptions of weight-loss drugs like Saxenda and Wegovy have surged among children aged eight to 11 in the US, sparking debates over access, safety, and long-term impacts amid rising childhood obesity rates.
Use of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs in young U.S. children remains rare, but prescriptions have climbed sharply in recent years as doctors weigh the risks of early obesity against the safety of newer medicines. A study led by researchers at NYU Langone Health found that among children aged eight to 11 with obesity and no diabetes, the share receiving drugs such as Saxenda, Wegovy and Zepbound rose from 0.03% in 2019 to 9.3% in 2026. The research, published in Pediatrics, says that amounts to a 310-fold increase over 7.5 years.
The study found that younger children were still less likely than adolescents to be prescribed the drugs, even though clinical guidance allows their use from age eight for obesity. Girls were more likely than boys to receive treatment, and most of the children who were prescribed GLP-1 medicines had severe obesity. Many also had obesity-related illnesses, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure or sleep apnoea.
Babak J. Orandi, the study’s lead investigator and an obesity medicine specialist at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, said the findings show that use is rising quickly even if absolute numbers remain low. He said the drugs can help with weight loss, blood sugar control and appetite suppression, while untreated childhood obesity can raise the risk of later diabetes, hypertension and liver disease. The study also found that about a quarter of the children prescribed GLP-1s were prediabetic.
The research also pointed to early signs of unequal access. Children from upper-income communities were 55% more likely to be prescribed GLP-1 medicines than those from lower-income areas, suggesting that cost and access to specialist care may already be shaping who receives treatment. Allan B. Massie, a co-senior author, said policymakers and doctors have a duty to ensure that children who need the drugs can get them, not only those with better insurance coverage or the means to reach paediatric clinics.
The broader medical literature suggests why the drugs are attracting attention. A meta-analysis published in March 2026 found that GLP-1 receptor agonists reduced weight, body mass index and several blood sugar measures in children and adolescents, although stomach-related side effects were more common. A systematic review in May 2026 reached similar conclusions and stressed that nutrition and behavioural support remain important alongside medication. Separate reviews published in 2026 noted that liraglutide and semaglutide have shown meaningful benefits in adolescents, and that longer-term monitoring in younger children is still needed.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
