American teens are increasingly turning to the weight-loss drug Wegovy, reflecting a growing confidence among families and doctors in using it for young people struggling with obesity. Data from health data firm Truveta reveals a significant rise in the initiation of treatment with this highly effective Novo Nordisk drug, with a 50% increase last year alone. The average rate of new prescriptions among adolescents surged to 14.8 per 100,000 teens, up from 9.9 per 100,000 in 2023, the first full year Wegovy was available for children aged 12 and older.
The trend continued to climb in the first quarter of this year, reaching 17.3 new prescriptions per 100,000 teens. Despite this growth, the percentage of teens with obesity receiving these medications remains relatively small compared to the overall population of adolescents struggling with obesity in the country. Dr. Cate Varney, director of obesity medicine at the University of Virginia health system, emphasizes the importance of additional tools like Wegovy when lifestyle changes alone are insufficient for managing obesity.
Truveta’s analysis, based on the electronic health records of 1.3 million patients aged 12 to 17 across 30 US health systems, underscores the limited options available for adolescents with obesity. The data reveals a concerning rise in obesity rates among American teens, with about 23% of individuals aged 12 to 19 now classified as obese, up from 5% in 1980. This increase in obesity poses significant health risks for young people, including a higher likelihood of developing chronic conditions such as type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and liver diseases.
While the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended weight-loss drugs for children with obesity starting at 12, the medical community’s embrace of GLP-1s for adolescents remains mixed. Concerns linger around the long-term safety of these drugs for children, especially during critical developmental phases, and the potential need for indefinite medication use. Limited insurance coverage further compounds the challenges faced by teens and their families in accessing obesity treatments, including GLP-1 medications.
At Nemours Children’s Hospital, the Healthy Weight and Wellness Clinic has seen an increase in the prescription of GLP-1 medications to adolescent patients, with notable weight loss results observed among those receiving these drugs. However, barriers such as insurance restrictions and safety concerns deter some families from opting for medication, leading them to pursue alternative weight-loss strategies or older medications.
The debate surrounding the widespread use of GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic in treating adolescent obesity has sparked criticism from US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. His concerns center on the potential risks and lack of long-term safety data associated with these medications for children. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, the manufacturers of Wegovy and Zepbound respectively, assert the safety and efficacy of their GLP-1 medicines based on clinical trials and ongoing research.
Dr. Robert Siegel, a pediatrician at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, advocates for a comprehensive approach to managing adolescent obesity, starting with intensive lifestyle interventions before considering medication. While GLP-1 drugs offer promise in weight management, the need for ongoing monitoring, patient education, and healthcare provider training is crucial to ensure safe and effective usage in teens.
As the use of weight-loss drugs among US teens continues to rise, the conversation around adolescent obesity treatment underscores the importance of balancing medical interventions with lifestyle modifications and addressing systemic barriers to care. The evolving landscape of obesity management in young people calls for further research, collaboration among healthcare stakeholders, and a holistic approach to promoting long-term health and well-being among adolescents.
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