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Kids' Obesity Drugs Soar 300x, NYU Study Reveals
4 Sep
Summary
- American children under 12 now take GLP-1 drugs 300 times more often.
- Over 20,000 children aged 8-11 used these drugs since 2019.
- FDA doesn't approve GLP-1s for under-12s, but doctors use discretion.
A new study indicates that American children under the age of 12 are now being prescribed GLP-1 drugs for obesity at an astonishing rate, 300 times higher than seven years ago. Analysis of 300 million medical records revealed that over 20,000 children, aged 8 to 11, have taken these drugs since 2019, marking a 9 percent increase.
Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved any GLP-1 medications for children younger than 12. However, physicians are utilizing their discretion to prescribe these drugs, a practice permitted by general clinical guidelines for children as young as eight. This trend primarily impacts children with severe obesity and at least one related illness, with girls being more likely to receive prescriptions.
While experts acknowledge the benefits of these drugs in potentially preventing conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, concerns remain regarding long-term effects on young individuals. Clinical trials are ongoing to further assess GLP-1 use in children as young as six, with some research suggesting the medication Saxenda is safe and effective for this age group.
