GLP-1 use among young children with obesity in US remains rare but is rising rapidly
Although the number of U.S. children under age 12 with obesity who are prescribed the weight-loss drugs Saxenda, Wegovy and Zepbound remains low, it was 310 times higher in June 2026 than in 2019, when the drugs were first prescribed, a new study shows.
A new study reveals that the use of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs among U.S. children under 12 with obesity has increased dramatically, from less than 0.1% in 2019 to 9.3% in 2026, despite remaining rare. Led by NYU Langone Health researchers, the study, published in Pediatrics, found that prescriptions for the drugs among younger children (ages 8-11) were less common than among adolescents (ages 12-17), at 0.6% and 0.9% respectively.
Although the absolute numbers of young children receiving GLP-1 treatments remain low, the study underscores the rapid acceleration of use. Most children prescribed the drugs had severe obesity or related comorbidities, and girls were more likely to receive prescriptions than boys. Higher-income communities were 55% more likely to see GLP-1 prescriptions for young children with obesity.
While GLP-1 drugs can effectively treat obesity and its complications, the study emphasizes the need for equitable access and long-term monitoring to ensure safety and effectiveness, especially among young children who may be at high risk of developing chronic diseases.
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