The World Health Organization has introduced its first comprehensive global guidance on treating obesity in children and adolescents, highlighting the importance of lifestyle measures, mental health, and cautious use of medicines and surgery amid soaring childhood obesity rates in Cyprus and Europe.
The World Health Organization has issued its first global guidance on obesity treatment for children and teenagers, opening the door for approved weight-loss medicines to be considered for some adolescents aged 10 to 19, and for bariatric surgery in the most severe cases. But the agency says lifestyle measures remain the foundation of care, and any use of medicine or surgery should be tightly controlled and reserved for selected patients within a broader treatment plan, according to the WHO’s new guidance for adolescent obesity.
The recommendations arrive as Cyprus records some of the highest childhood obesity levels in Europe. WHO Europe data covering nine-year-olds from 2022 to 2024 show that one in five children in Cyprus lives with obesity, rising to one in four boys. Among girls, the rate is 15 per cent. Cyprus is followed in the regional comparison by Greece, with 18 per cent, and Italy and Malta, both at 17 per cent. The figures place the island at the top of the European ranking, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing families and health services.
The WHO says children under 10 should not be treated with obesity medicines, surgery or weight-loss devices. For this age group, it recommends structured lifestyle support centred on diet, physical activity and family involvement. For adolescents aged 10 to 19, approved medicines may be considered if supervised lifestyle treatment has not worked, while bariatric surgery may be an option only for severe obesity and only after careful assessment. The organisation says obesity should be understood as a chronic, recurring disease that may require long-term, organised care rather than short-term intervention.
The guidance also broadens the definition of success beyond the number on the scales. The WHO says treatment should aim to improve a child’s health, daily functioning and emotional wellbeing, not simply produce weight loss. It points to mental health pressures such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and bullying, which can shape eating habits, activity levels and social life. The organisation also argues that treatment alone will not be enough to reverse the trend, saying governments need wider action on education, social protection and food policy to create healthier environments for children.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
