GLP-1 Medications for Weight Loss Surge in Children and Adolescents After Pediatrics Recommendation

Strategic Insights -

A significant increase in the prescribing of GLP-1 medications for weight management in children and adolescents has been observed following the American Academy of Pediatrics' 2023 recommendation to offer these medications alongside lifestyle adjustments. This trend adds fuel to the debate over the age appropriateness of these medications, particularly Wegovy and other GLP-1s. Researchers from Truveta and Harvard Medical School reviewed over 310,000 patients' health records to understand the impact of the guidelines.

Key Takeaways:

  • The use of GLP-1 medications for weight management in youths aged 8-17 increased by 65% immediately after the American Academy of Pediatrics' guideline release and an additional 5% per month thereafter.
  • Nutritional counseling showed a smaller, more gradual rise in prescribing compared to GLP-1 medications.
  • The most prescribed medication overall was metformin, but its use declined over time while the use of semaglutide (active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy) increased substantially, from 2.5% of patients before the guidelines to 26.8%.
  • The rate of drug therapy in kids and adolescents remained low, with fewer than 10% of patients using anti-obesity medications.
  • Prescribing decisions generally appear to be cautious, with treatments most often targeted at adolescents with more severe obesity.
  • The high cost of these medications may limit effective treatment of early obesity.

Statistics:

  • 310,000 patients' health records were reviewed in the study.
  • 65% increase in GLP-1 medication prescriptions for youths aged 8-17 immediately after the American Academy of Pediatrics' guideline release.
  • 5% additional increase in GLP-1 medication prescriptions per month following the guideline release.
  • From 2.5% to 26.8% increase in semaglutide (active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy) prescriptions from before the guidelines to after.
  • Less than 10% of patients used anti-obesity medications.

Sources:

  • (https://publications.aap.org/pediatricsopenscience/article/doi/10.1542/pedsos.2025-000623/202619/Shifts-in-U-S-Pediatric-Obesity-Treatment-After)
  • (https://www.axios.com/2025/01/01/ozempic-weight-loss-medication-glp-1-wegovy-zepbound)
  • Truveta and Harvard Medical School's research.