WHO Advises Against Weight-Loss Injections for Young Children
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released new guidelines recommending diet, exercise, and behavioral therapy over GLP-1 weight-loss injections for children and adolescents with obesity. The guidelines, the first of their kind, express caution regarding medications and surgeries for those under 10, citing safety and efficacy concerns. While some GLP-1 drugs are approved for older children and teens in certain regions, the WHO emphasizes the need for more research before widespread recommendation. The organization also urges governments to promote healthy lifestyles and accessible obesity treatment.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- WHO recommends diet, exercise, and behavioral support over weight-loss injections for children and adolescents with obesity.
- The organization advises against medications and surgeries for children under 10 due to safety and efficacy concerns.
- For adolescents aged 10-19, medications are a consideration only after lifestyle changes fail, and surgery under strict conditions.
- Concerns exist regarding long-term effects and adherence challenges of weight-loss drugs in young populations.
- In Israel, Wegovy is approved for adolescents 12+ with obesity and is covered by national health insurance for ages 12-18.
- WHO stresses that obesity treatment should focus on overall health and well-being, not just weight loss.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued new guidelines recommending that obesity treatment for children and adolescents focus on diet, physical activity, and behavioral support, rather than GLP-1 weight-loss injections. These are the organization's first guidelines on the subject, published in two separate documents covering infants from 29 days old up to age 10, and adolescents aged 10 to 19. The guidelines also address sedentary time, sleep, digital interventions, medications, surgeries, and weight-loss devices.
According to WHO data, 170 million children and adolescents aged five to 19 worldwide suffered from obesity in 2024, with rates rising from 2% in 1990 to 8% in 2024. The organization defines obesity as a chronic, relapsing disease with potential childhood onset of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular issues. For children under 10, the WHO strongly advises against medications, bariatric surgeries, or weight-loss devices due to uncertainties about long-term safety and efficacy.
For adolescents aged 10 to 19, the guidelines permit considering approved medications only after supervised lifestyle changes have failed. Bariatric surgery is an option for severely obese adolescents who are physically and mentally mature, but only under strict conditions, including a BMI significantly above the norm and after six months of unsuccessful treatment. Researchers acknowledge limited studies on surgery in this age group and unclear risk-benefit balances.
Concerns about long-term effects and adherence challenges led the WHO to be cautious with medication recommendations for children. While some GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Saxenda are approved for certain adolescents and even younger children in the US and EU, the WHO emphasizes the need for more data. A US study found a significant increase in GLP-1 prescriptions for eight- to 11-year-olds between 2019 and 2026, though still rare.
In Israel, Wegovy is approved for adolescents aged 12 and older with obesity and is covered by the national health insurance for those aged 12-18, provided they meet specific BMI and weight criteria and are part of a professional support program. The WHO stresses that obesity treatment should aim for overall health improvement, not just weight loss, and should address mental health and social well-being concurrently. The organization also calls on governments to make healthy food and physical activity more accessible and affordable.
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