New global guidelines warn against obesity drugs for children under 10
The World Health Organization has issued new global guidelines advising against the use of obesity drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro for children under 10. The organization emphasizes that care for this age group should focus on healthy lifestyle changes rather than medical or surgical interventions.
Why it matters
This guidance sets a critical international standard for pediatric healthcare as the prevalence of childhood obesity continues to rise globally.
Image source, Getty Images By Michelle Roberts Digital health editor Published 37 minutes ago Children under 10 should not be given obesity drugs or GLP-1 weight-loss injections such as Mounjaro and Wegovy, new global guidelines , external from the World Health Organization say.
Most of these medications are only licensed for children or adolescents older than this, but some doctors prescribe them off-label, and drug companies are testing them in children as young as six.
WHO says the care should focus on healthy eating and exercise, not medicine or surgery, although they do not oppose drug trials.
Some digital technology, such as activity trackers and any online games that encourage the player to be more active and move, might be useful, it says, based on the limited evidence available.
Estimates suggest 170 million children and adolescents worldwide are obese.
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