The rising uptake of these treatments follows data showing 22.8% of year 6 children in England are obese. Specialized NHS Complications from Excess Weight clinics administer the drugs alongside lifestyle management to youth suffering from linked health conditions such as type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea. Clinical operators are now examining whether to extend access to children as young as eight pending regulatory green lights. In response, global bodies like the World Health Organization advise against using obesity drugs in patients under the age of 10.
Key points
The World Health Organization recommends that obesity medications should not be administe…: The World Health Organization recommends that obesity medications should not be administered to children younger than 10 years old.
Specialized CEW clinics target children aged two to 16 with severe obesity who experience…: Specialized CEW clinics target children aged two to 16 with severe obesity who experience secondary issues like sleep apnea.
Medical experts warn that young patients require comprehensive monitoring because long-te…: Medical experts warn that young patients require comprehensive monitoring because long-term data on growth, puberty, and mental health remains limited.
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Hundreds of children in England are receiving prescriptions for GLP-1 medications, including some younger than 12, the Guardian can reveal.
GLP-1 medications were initially developed to help people with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar levels, but have since become a popular slimming aid, with products such as Wegovy and Mounjaro becoming household names.
While social media is awash with adults who have lost weight with GLP-1s, data shows a number of children are also being prescribed them.
A Guardian investigation has revealed that in the financial year 2025-26 there were 419 prescriptions issued to children under the age of 18, 10 of which were for children under the age of 12.
And in the four months from April to July this year, 341 prescriptions for GLP-1s were issued to children, 15 of whom were under the age of 12.
The figures, obtained from the NHS Business Services Authority through freedom of information requests, relate to prescriptions in England and dispensed in a community setting anywhere in the UK.
However, they do not cover those prescribed and dispensed via…
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