The World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced the first-ever global recommendations on managing childhood obesity, shedding light on GLP-1 treatments for children and adolescents. The guidelines emphasize a range of strategies such as dietary adjustments, increased physical activity, and behavioral modifications to address the growing number of young individuals globally affected by obesity. In specific cases, medical interventions or bariatric surgery may be considered for older children and teenagers.
According to the WHO, children under the age of nine are not advised to undergo medical treatment, surgery, or use weight-loss devices. For youths aged 10 to 19, medical treatments are only suggested if lifestyle modifications have not yielded desired outcomes. Bariatric surgery is recommended under stringent conditions for youths facing severe obesity.
Dr. Luz MarÃa De Regil, WHO’s director of the department of nutrition and food safety, emphasized the importance of comprehensive support focusing on healthy eating, physical activity, and sustainable behavior change as the foundation of obesity care for children and adolescents.
In Canada, two GLP-1 treatments are approved for weight management in youths aged 12 and above. However, these medications typically require out-of-pocket payments by parents. Dr. Marina Ybarra, a pediatric endocrinologist in London, Ontario, welcomed the cautious approach towards using medications to combat obesity among children.
The WHO’s guidelines aim to address the escalating rates of obesity among global youth, with approximately 170 million children and teenagers worldwide aged five to 19 living with obesity. The prevalence of obesity in this age group has quadrupled since 1990, from two to eight percent.
While GLP-1 medications have gained popularity among adults for managing obesity and diabetes, caution is advised regarding their use in children and adolescents due to limited research and potential misuse risks. The drugs mimic the body’s glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone to regulate appetite, digestion, and blood sugar levels.
Despite some side effects like nausea, these medications have proven effective for young patients with obesity, aiding in weight reduction and enhancing quality of life. Ongoing drug trials by companies like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are exploring pediatric obesity medications for children as young as six, indicating a shifting landscape in treating childhood obesity.
The WHO acknowledges the evolving nature of this field and the need for further research to determine the safe and effective use of such medications in younger populations.
