Overweight teens should be prescribed new weight-loss shots for the rest of their lives, scientists say.
A large study of the new drug found that weekly injections of semaglutide significantly reduced adolescents’ weight.
Experts said the findings support calls for giving the appetite-stimulating drug to children as young as 12 to reduce childhood obesity.
The researchers described the results of the treatment – which saw children lose an average of seven pounds – as “a game changer for many teenagers.”
Almost half of 12- to 18-year-olds who used the drug fell below the clinical obesity cutoff, according to a study of 201 teenagers
They suggested that early intervention could help protect children from lifelong obesity and its associated health complications.
However, they warned that the children were likely to gain pounds if they stopped the treatment, meaning they could potentially take it “for life”.
Almost half of 12- to 18-year-olds who used the drug fell below the clinical obesity cutoff, according to a study of 201 teenagers.
On average, the participants weighed 17 pounds and lost 3 pounds over the 16-month trial.
Three-quarters (74 percent) of those taking semaglutide saw an improvement by one or more BMI categories, compared with less than one in five (19 percent) who took a placebo.
Overall, the proportion of children with the most severe degree of obesity was reduced from 37 to 14 percent.
dr Presenting his findings at the European Congress on Obesity in Dublin, Aaron Kelly of the University of Minnesota Medical School said semaglutide should be available in the NHS to all teenagers with obesity “as part of a comprehensive treatment approach”, including lifestyle advice.
It was found that the proportion of children with the most severe degree of obesity fell from 37 to 14 percent
He said, “Semaglutide is transformative for many children who are given access.” It can be life-changing.
“Nothing brings me more joy than hearing the stories of teenagers who have struggled their entire lives to manage their weight.” which is crucial for many teenagers.”
The earlier children start taking the drugs, the better their outcomes will be, he added, and ideally they’ll fight obesity before it can fully progress.
But he conceded that those given the “life-changing” drug would likely need to take it for life or risk gaining weight again.
He added, “Obesity is a chronic disease.” Chronic diseases therefore require chronic treatments. You will likely need to take this drug for the rest of your life.
“When you take the treatment away, it’s like a rubber band, the weight goes back to where it started.”
Under the brand name Wegovy, the weight-loss drug was recently given the green light by the NHS for use in adults.
Regulators have yet to decide whether to allow its use — in addition to a diet and exercise program — for overweight teens.
A spokesman for Novo Nordisk said: “Following clinical trials and a formal review by the MHRA, our medicines are granted a license setting out the approved indication and recommended dosage for adolescent patients in the UK.”
Commenting on the study results, Professor Alex Miras, professor of endocrinology at the University of Ulster, said he was keen for the drug to be approved by NICE, but suggested delays in its availability could slow the process.
“The children in this study lost a lot of weight.” “What’s interesting is that so many achieved a normal BMI, which is a remarkable achievement,” he said.
“We were expecting the drug to be available for adults in May, but this has been pushed back again.” We don’t even know if it will be available this year.
“I think NICE is unlikely to move forward unless it has more certainty that the drug will be available.”
Discussion about this post