New guidelines warn against obesity drugs for young children
The World Health Organization has issued new guidelines advising against the use of obesity drugs like GLP-1 injections for children under 10. The organization emphasizes lifestyle interventions such as healthy eating and exercise over medical or surgical treatments for this age group.
Why it matters
This guidance sets a global standard for pediatric healthcare, addressing the rising prevalence of childhood obesity while cautioning against the premature use of powerful pharmaceuticals.
Image source, Getty Images By Michelle Roberts Digital health editor Published 7 October 2026, 09:07 BST 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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