GLP-1 use in US children under 12 surges 310-fold, far outpacing FDA approval
A new study finds prescriptions for weight-loss drugs have skyrocketed among young children with obesity despite no FDA authorization for the age group.
What to know
- GLP-1 prescriptions for children ages 8 to 11 surged from 0.03% to 9.3% between 2019 and June 2026—a 310-fold increase affecting over 20,000 children.
- The FDA has not approved any GLP-1 drugs for children under 12, though clinical guidelines allow use as young as age 8 and doctors are prescribing off-label.
- Most children receiving GLP-1s had severe obesity (94%) and comorbidities like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea, suggesting targeted use for highest-risk patients.
- Long-term data on GLP-1 safety and efficacy in children remains limited, with clinical trials still underway.
“This is not a mainstream practice. This is for somebody that's really significantly affected by their weight.”
Dr. Rachel Pessah-Pollack, NYU Langone Health endocrinologist · Independent UK
Dr. Babak J. Orandi Lead researcher, NYU Langone HealthDr. Rachel Pessah-Pollack NYU Langone Health endocrinologist
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What people are saying 2 voices from 1 site · verbatim
- Sep 4
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in the meantime fat cells fill with water Can you say more or give me a link about this please
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Good. I'm aghast at how many obese children I see. I was a heavy child, but some of these children are borderline immobile. I don't understand. I was eating whole blocks of cheese and double portions of steak and mostly played computer games. What are these kids eating/doing? If their satiety is already that broken by 12 they need fixed ASAP.