{
  "id": 9128530,
  "title": "Should we use GLP-1 drugs to treat obesity in children?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/should-we-use-glp-1-drugs-to-treat-obesity-in-children",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-22T11:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Scientist",
    "slug": "new-scientist",
    "url": "https://www.newscientist.com/article/2590267-should-we-use-glp-1-drugs-to-treat-obesity-in-children/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Recent studies indicate that a growing number of children under 12 with obesity are being prescribed GLP-1 drugs to aid weight loss. While these medications appear to effectively treat obesity, concerns persist about their long-term impact. A study by Babak Orandi, a researcher at New York University, reveals that 9.3% of children aged 8 to 11 in the US with obesity but no diabetes are now prescribed GLP-1 medications, up from 0.03% in 2019. These drugs, such as semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Zepbound), are approved for use in individuals aged 12 and older in the UK, US, and Australia, though they are sometimes prescribed off-label to younger children in the US, following guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics.\n\nThe trend appears likely to continue, as many children with severe obesity and related complications, such as pre-diabetes, sleep apnoea, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, receive these off-label prescriptions. Orandi's findings suggest that younger children are more likely to receive these drugs if they are severely obese or have related health issues. Moreover, families of these children often tend to be wealthier, as \"the treatment can be hundreds of dollars a month\".\n\nHealthcare practitioners are increasingly inclined to believe that withholding GLP-1 drugs from these children might pose more significant risks than prescribing them. Childhood obesity is linked to depression, low self-esteem, and an increased risk of conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and liver disease in adulthood. The risk of not treating severe obesity in children can reduce life expectancy by up to 42 years, starting from a young age of 4. Danielle Longmore, a researcher at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Melbourne, believes that GLP-1 drugs offer hope for young people with obesity, potentially altering their health trajectory.\n\nHowever, the long-term effects of these medications on growing bodies, particularly during childhood and puberty, remain unclear. Recent research has shown that GLP-1 drugs may increase the risk of iron and other nutrient deficiencies due to reduced food intake, potentially stalling growth and delaying puberty. Longmore warns about the potential consequences on the children's strength, bones, and future pregnancy and menopause health. Despite these uncertainties, she supports extending GLP-1 drug access to children under 12 in countries like the UK and Australia if their obesity is severe, acknowledging that the risks of untreated obesity outweigh those of taking the medications.\n\nGLP-1 drugs are only approved for use in individuals aged 12 and older in these regions, but off-label prescriptions for younger children are common in the US. The side effects of these medications are similar in children and adults, including nausea, diarrhoea, and sometimes \"horrible burps\". However, children typically do not mind the weekly injections, which are administered under the skin using a fine needle. One challenge is that children, like adults, often regain weight when they discontinue GLP-1 drugs, leading to the question of whether they will need to be on them for life. Preventing weight regain involves addressing the underlying causes of obesity through dieticians, psychologists, and exercise physiologists. Longmore cautions that these drugs may not be the \"easy way out\" for most young people with obesity and stresses the importance of addressing the underlying drivers of obesity.",
  "summary": "Children as young as 8 in the US are being prescribed off-label GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, sparking debate about the potential long-term health effects",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}