Should kids living with obesity be on GLP-1s? New global guidance says yes - in some cases
New global guidance from the WHO suggests that GLP-1 medications and bariatric surgery may be considered for older children and teenagers with obesity, provided lifestyle interventions have failed. The organization emphasizes that comprehensive support for healthy habits remains the foundation of care.
Why it matters
This guidance provides a standardized medical framework for treating rising rates of childhood obesity, balancing lifestyle changes with emerging pharmaceutical options.
The new global guidance, released on Wednesday , recommends a broad range of interventions to manage diet, boost physical activity and change behaviours for the rising number of global youth living with obesity. And in certain cases, for some older children and teenagers, that could also mean medication or bariatric surgery.
The WHO doesn't recommend medical treatment, surgery or weight-loss devices for children up to the age of nine, the organization notes.
For older youth from the age of 10 to 19, medical treatments may be considered only when a supervised lifestyle program hasn't achieved results, the guidance states, while bariatric surgery should only be an option under strict conditions for youth living with severe obesity.
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