WHO issues global warning against obesity drugs for under-10s
New WHO guidelines strongly advise against giving weight-loss drugs and GLP-1 injections to children under 10, prioritizing diet and exercise.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- WHO issues new guidelines advising against obesity drugs and GLP-1 for under-10s
- Healthcare for this age group should prioritize healthy eating and exercise
- Global data shows obesity prevalence in children aged 5-9 has quadrupled since 1990
The World Health Organization has released new global guidelines stating firmly that children under the age of 10 should not be prescribed obesity medications or GLP-1 weight-loss injections such as Wegovy and Mounjaro. While most of these pharmaceutical treatments are officially licensed only for older children and adolescents, some medical professionals continue to prescribe them off-label, and drug manufacturers are actively testing them in children as young as six years old.
According to WHO, healthcare interventions for this young age group should center heavily on healthy nutrition and physical activity rather than relying on medications or surgical procedures, though the organization remains supportive of formal clinical drug trials. Furthermore, the agency notes that certain digital technologies, including activity trackers and active video games that encourage movement, might offer some utility based on the currently available limited evidence.
Current estimates indicate that roughly 170 million children and adolescents worldwide live with obesity, a figure that includes 70 million children between the ages of five and nine. The prevalence of obesity within this specific age bracket has quadrupled since 1990, climbing steeply from 2 percent up to 8 percent. Additionally, data from 2024 shows that 35 million children under five years old were classified as overweight, with obesity significantly elevating the long-term risk of developing numerous severe medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
"For children under 10, WHO does not recommend obesity medicines, bariatric surgery or weight-management devices. This is a strong recommendation."
Dr. Luz De Rigil, WHO Director of Nutrition and Food Safety
Dr. Luz De Rigil explained that these medical interventions could be appropriate for older children and adolescents only after lifestyle modifications have failed and if the individual is confirmed to be mentally and physically prepared for the treatment course. She added that WHO recognizes this medical landscape is constantly evolving and promised continued evaluation of emerging scientific evidence.
The introduction of these strict global guidelines by the World Health Organization highlights growing international concern over the expanding commercial push of GLP-1 weight-loss medications into younger demographics. While these drugs have proven effective for adult weight management, the lack of long-term safety data regarding their impact on developing organs, hormonal balance, and overall growth in young children presents an alarming medical unknown. By issuing such a definitive recommendation, WHO aims to shield vulnerable children from unproven pharmaceutical interventions before long-term health consequences can be properly understood.
Laurence Grummer-Strawn, WHO's head of Nutrition and Food Safety Actions, voiced similar concerns regarding the slippery slope of early pharmaceutical intervention. He emphasized that experts worry about starting children on GLP-1 treatments at such an early age without knowing when or how treatment would eventually cease, noting a distinct lack of evidence proving these drugs can serve as a temporary fix before transitioning to dietary management later in life.
Source: BBC Health
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