The use of GLP-1 weight-loss medications among children under 12 in the United States remains rare but has increased rapidly in recent years, according to new research.
A study led by NYU Langone Health found that prescriptions for drugs such as Saxenda, Wegovy and Zepbound among children aged 8 to 11 with obesity rose 310 times between 2019 and June 2026.
Although the overall number of prescriptions is still low, researchers say the increase marks a sharp upward trend in use among young children.
Low overall use, but fast growth
The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, analysed prescription data and found that only a small proportion of children with obesity were receiving GLP-1 medications.
Among children aged 8 to 11 with obesity but without diabetes, about 0.6% had been prescribed these drugs. For adolescents aged 12 to 17, the rate was slightly higher at 0.9%.
However, researchers estimate that around 20% of US children have obesity, defined as a body mass index above the 95th percentile for their age and sex.
310-fold increase since 2019
According to the findings, prescriptions for GLP-1 drugs in younger children increased from 0.03% in 2019 to 9.3% in 2026, representing a 310-fold rise over 7.5 years.
In total, more than 20,000 children aged 8 to 11 were prescribed GLP-1 medications during the study period.
Researchers noted that prescriptions were more common in older children compared with younger ones, despite clinical guidelines allowing use from age eight in certain cases.
Girls were also more likely than boys to be prescribed the medications.
Most prescriptions linked to severe obesity
The study found that nearly all children receiving GLP-1 drugs had severe obesity, with almost 94% falling into this category.
Around 65% of the children also had at least one health condition linked to obesity, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or sleep apnoea. About a quarter were prediabetic.
Concerns and access issues
Researchers said their findings highlight both the growing use of GLP-1 medications and concerns about access and equity.
Children living in higher-income communities were 55% more likely to receive prescriptions than those in lower-income areas.
The authors warned that access to treatment may depend on insurance coverage and proximity to specialist care, raising concerns about inequality in obesity treatment.
What researchers say
Lead investigator Dr Babak J. Orandi said GLP-1 medications can be effective in treating obesity and related health complications, including improving blood sugar control and reducing appetite.
However, he also said long-term monitoring is important to ensure safety and effectiveness in children, especially as use continues to expand.
Researchers also noted that ongoing clinical trials involving even younger children may help guide future medical decisions.
Study data
The research used Epic Cosmos, a large electronic health record database covering more than 300 million patients across over 2,000 hospitals and 47,000 clinics in the US.
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