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Kids' Weight Drug Prescriptions Skyrocket 300x
6 Sep
Summary
- GLP-1 prescriptions for young children surged over 300-fold since 2019.
- Nearly all prescribed children had severe obesity and related conditions.
- Access disparities may be emerging, favoring higher-income communities.
Prescriptions for GLP-1 weight-loss medications among U.S. children under 12 have seen a dramatic increase, rising over 300-fold since 2019. A recent study analyzed over 3.5 million children aged 8-11 with obesity but without diabetes.
The data revealed that GLP-1 prescriptions jumped from a mere 0.03% in 2019 to 9.3% as of June. While these drugs are not officially approved for children under 12, clinical guidelines permit their use for obesity in younger children in specific circumstances.
Crucially, 94% of the children receiving GLP-1s were classified as having severe obesity, and approximately 65% had co-occurring conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea. Most frequently prescribed was Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, along with Saxenda and Eli Lilly's Zepbound.
Despite the low absolute numbers, the rapid acceleration in GLP-1 use among this age group is notable. Lead investigator Dr. Babak Orandi emphasized the need for ongoing safety monitoring. The study also indicated potential access disparities, with children in higher-income communities being 55% more likely to receive prescriptions, prompting calls for equitable access to these treatments.
