Can children use anti-obesity drugs: research
Drugs from obesity and diabetes, which have gained particular popularity recently, can help children aged 6 to 11 years reduce their body mass index. Instead, it is still unknown what side effects they can have on their body and development.
Previous studies showedthat many obese adolescents lose significant amounts of weight after taking drugs that mimic the natural hormone glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1), which responds for hunger writes Nature.
In contrast, there has been no information yet on how drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, Saxenda and Victoza, which are approved in the US and Europe for people 12 years of age and older, have an effect on younger children.
To the study, the results of which published in The New England Journal of Medicine, involved 82 children aged 6 to 11 years.
All participants were divided into two groups, among which the first received a drug for obesity and diabetes, and the other received a placebo.
The children used the drug for 56 weeks (more than one year). Also, during the study, the participants tried to follow a healthy lifestyle.
After that, scientists continued to monitor their health for almost six months.
The researchers found that the body mass index of children from the first group decreased more often than that of the participants of the second.
46% of children who took anti-obesity and anti-diabetic drugs had their BMI reduced by 5% or more. Among the children of the second group, only 9% got the same results.
Why test powerful drugs on children?
According to Dr. Sarah Roe, who directs the weight control program at the University of North Carolina (USA), most obese children are overweight throughout their lives.
Currently, there are no “good options” for drugs that can provide effective treatment for obesity in children.
“Many of the decisions doctors make are based on trials in adults. We need evidence to inform clinical decisions about children.”– explains child obesity researcher from the University of Alberta in Edmonton (Canada) Jeff Ball.
Is it possible to trust the BMI indicators in the study of the effectiveness of the drug for children?
Scientists say there are drawbacks to using BMI to measure drug effectiveness.
“BMI is not ideal for children as they grow”says Jeff Ball.
This was also recognized by the authors of the study, who in the text of the work call BMI “a bad indicator of fat mass.”
According to Sarah Nutter, a researcher from the University of Victoria (Canada), obesity should be evaluated because of the health problems caused by excess weight.
What is known about the long-term effects of drugs for children?
There is still no data on the long-term effects of anti-obesity drugs on growth and puberty in young children, says Sarah Roe.
Instead, the study authors plan to continue collecting data on study participants until January 2027 to gain more information.
Do children need to use weight loss products throughout their lives?
Scientist Sarah Roe notes that hormone mimics that block the feeling of hunger must be taken throughout life.
At the same time, obesity is considered a chronic relapsing disease that requires constant treatment. In practice, not all children, after starting a course of drugs, will be able to continue it in order to maintain the desired result.
This may be affected by family financial constraints or side effects.
“As soon as patients stop taking GLP-1 drugs, hunger returns and they begin to regain weight.”says the scientist.
Sara Nutter notes that you should be careful with the use of anti-obesity drugs in children and adolescents, because their bodies are developing. Additionally, families of children may make obesity treatment decisions based on weight stereotypes rather than health.
According to Sarah Roe, there are risks to inactivity, however, as obesity can affect not only growth and puberty, but also heart, lung and kidney health.
What’s more, overweight children can experience “continuous bullying by peers”, which can affect mental health.
“As with all things, we need to weigh the risks and benefits of treatment and no treatment.”she adds.
Earlier scientists discoveredthat early-onset obesity can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and shorten life expectancy.
Importantly! This material is based on the latest and current scientific research, is of an informational and reference nature only and cannot be the basis for establishing a medical diagnosis. To establish a diagnosis, be sure to consult a doctor!
