Obesity Drugs Not Recommended for Children Under 10, New WHO Guidelines Say
The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised against using obesity medicines, GLP-1 receptor agonists, bariatric surgery or weight-management devices in children younger than 10 years, saying treatment should focus on healthy eating, physical activity and lifestyle changes.
The recommendation comes as childhood obesity rises globally. An estimated 170 million children and adolescents are living with obesity. About 70 million are aged 5 to 9 years, and obesity prevalence in this age group has increased fourfold since 1990, from about 2% to 8%.
WHO also estimates that 35 million children younger than five were overweight in 2024. Childhood obesity can increase the risk of health problems including type 2 diabetes and other metabolic conditions.
The new guidance states that medicines and surgical approaches should not be used for children under 10, even as some obesity medicines are being studied in younger children and may be prescribed outside their approved indications.
WHO says the evidence for drug treatment in younger children remains limited and there is uncertainty about long-term effects, including how long treatment would need to continue. The organisation supports clinical research but recommends caution before widespread use.
For children under 10, WHO instead recommends interventions that promote healthier diets, regular physical activity and supportive environments. Some digital approaches, including activity trackers and games designed to encourage movement, may also help, although evidence remains limited.
For older children and adolescents, obesity medicines, surgery or other weight-management interventions may be considered when lifestyle measures have not been sufficient and when the child is physically and psychologically prepared for treatment.
WHO emphasises that childhood obesity requires long-term care rather than a short-term solution. As evidence surrounding GLP-1 medicines continues to develop, the organisation says recommendations will be reviewed as new data become available.
REFERENCE: WHO issues first global guidelines on child and adolescent obesity; https://www.who.int/news/item/07-10-2026-who-issues-first-global-guidelines-on-child-and-adolescent-obesity
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