WHO recommends against GLP-1 obesity drugs for children under 10
The World Health Organization on Wednesday advised against using GLP-1 obesity drugs in children younger than 10. For adolescents aged 10 to 19, the agency said the medications should be considered only after a supervised lifestyle program has failed. The guidance comes as drugmakers expand their focus on obesity treatments.
The World Health Organization advised against using GLP-1 medicines to treat obesity in children below age 10. For those ages 10 to 19, the agency said these drugs should be considered only after a monitored lifestyle-based program has not worked. The advice arrives as pharmaceutical companies broaden their attention to obesity therapies, making the question of pediatric use part of a wider push around these treatments.
The guidance could affect families and clinicians weighing obesity treatment for children and teenagers, potentially making medication a later option after lifestyle efforts. It may also shape how drugmakers discuss pediatric use, though the advice does not ban the drugs. For adolescents, the emphasis on supervised programs could increase demand for behavioral support, while younger children may remain outside GLP-1 obesity treatment discussions for now.