Prescriptions for weight-loss drugs among US children under 12 have surged by 310 times since 2019, according to new research from New York University Langone Health. The study, set to be published in Pediatrics, tracks the rise of GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Zepbound in this age group, finding that usage has accelerated dramatically over the last seven years. The researchers note that while the absolute numbers of children under the age of 12 receiving GLP-1 treatment are still low, GLP-1 use is accelerating rapidly.
By June 2026, 20,282 children under 12 had been prescribed a GLP-1 medication, a jump from 0.03% in 2019. The study also found that prescriptions for weight loss medications are less common for children aged eight to 11 compared to teenagers aged 12 to 17, indicating a specific trend toward older demographics within the pediatric population.
Rising Numbers and Risk Factors
The data shows a clear trend toward older children, as those aged 12 to 17 are still far more likely to receive these drugs than their younger counterparts. Of the children prescribed GLP-1s, 93.7% suffered from severe obesity. The study also found that 65.2% had pre-existing obesity-related conditions, including sleep apnea, high cholesterol, or hypertension. A significant portion of these young patients, about a quarter, were prediabetic and at high risk for developing diabetes later in life.
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Orandi explains that GLP-1 drugs are very effective at treating obesity and its related metabolic health complications, leading to weight loss, appetite repression, and better blood sugar regulation. He emphasizes that parents are hesitant to the thought of their children being prescribed weight loss medications, but there are also long-term health risks associated with not going on the medications, such as diabetes, hypertension, and liver disease.
Access Disparities by Income
The research uncovered a stark divide in access based on household income. Obese children living in upper-income households were 55% more likely to be prescribed GLP-1 medications compared to those from middle- and low-income homes. This suggests that availability of these treatments is heavily influenced by socioeconomic status. The study found that children in high-income households have higher access to GLP-1 medications compared to those from middle- and low-income homes.
Co-senior author Allan Massie argues that this creates a growing divergence in prescription patterns between those with access to health insurance and those who do not. He notes that physicians and policymakers have a responsibility to ensure equitable access, as the current production levels of GLP-1 therapies are insufficient to meet the needs of the population. Massie argues that this is the beginning of a prescription pattern of growing divergence between those who do and do not have access to these medications.
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The findings also indicate that girls were more likely than boys to receive a prescription. While the drugs are effective at suppressing appetite and regulating blood sugar, Orandi stresses the importance of ensuring they remain safe and effective for long-term use in this vulnerable group. He says clinical trials are “already underway” for the safety of GLP-1 medications on obese children aged six. These findings will inform and guide physicians, policymakers, and parents about the use of these medications, he argues.
Industry Gaps and Future Care
As the use of these medications grows, the study points to a gap in nutritional products designed specifically for children. Unlike in the adult space, there is a lack of data on what patients are consuming while on these drugs, which complicates the development of full care solutions for young patients. With the rise in children using GLP-1s, there appears to be a gap in nutritional products designed for this consumer group.
Despite the effectiveness of GLP-1s in treating obesity, experts caution that the current focus on pharmaceutical interventions must be balanced with a broader approach to health care systems. There is a pressing need for person-centered care that addresses the root causes of obesity rather than relying solely on medication availability. The WHO warned that the current production levels of GLP-1 therapies are insufficient to equitably provide care for the billion people suffering from obesity.
