Rising Use of Weight-Loss Drugs in Young Children

Recent research highlights the growing trend of prescribing weight-loss drugs to young children. A study by New York University focused on glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) among U.S. children aged 8 to 11 with obesity but no diabetes.

Research Findings

The study analyzed data from over 3.5 million children in the Epic Cosmos electronic health record network. It tracked prescriptions between January 2019 and June 2026. The findings showed a significant increase in GLP-1 prescriptions, from 0.03 percent in 2019 to 9.3 percent in 2026. Despite this increase, only 0.6 percent of the 3.52 million children studied had received a prescription for these drugs.

FDA Approval and Guidelines

While some GLP-1 drugs are FDA-approved for adolescents 12 and older, none are approved for children under 12. However, guidelines permit clinicians to prescribe them to younger children in certain situations. The study indicates that doctors reserve these medications for children facing serious health risks.

Health Risks and Benefits

Children prescribed GLP-1s often had severe obesity and related health issues. About 94 percent of these children had severe obesity, compared to 52 percent of those who did not use the drugs. Dr. Babak J. Orandi, an obesity medicine specialist, emphasizes that lifestyle changes remain crucial. He suggests considering medications when a child experiences obesity-related complications or insufficient results from lifestyle interventions.

“Diet, physical activity, and behavioral support are the foundation,” Dr. Orandi told Newsweek. “GLP-1s should be an add-on, not used in isolation.”

Demographic Disparities

Prescription patterns varied among different demographic groups. Older children and girls were more likely to receive these drugs than younger children and boys. Children in less vulnerable areas had higher prescription rates than those in more vulnerable communities.

Access and Inequities

The study authors point to potential inequities in accessing these treatments. As clinical guidelines evolve to support earlier interventions, children from more advantaged backgrounds might benefit more significantly.

Data Limitations

The research relied on health record prescriptions, which may not fully reflect medication dispensing and long-term use. The database used does not represent all U.S. health systems. Concerns about the long-term effects of these drugs on children still exist.

“The preliminary data look reassuring, but longer follow-up is needed to fully clarify the risks and benefits,” Orandi said.

Addressing untreated childhood obesity is critical, as it leads to severe health issues like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and fatty liver disease. Dr. Orandi notes that addressing obesity effectively reduces health risks to levels similar to peers without obesity.

“The reversibility of risk is a strong argument in favor of treatment,” Orandi concluded.