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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Julia Musto

Why thousands of American children under 12 are being prescribed weight loss drugs

United States FDA
  • American children under the age of 12 are taking GLP-1 obesity drugs at 300 times the rate compared to seven years ago, according to a new study.
  • More than 20,000 children aged 8 to 11 have taken GLP-1 medications since 2019, with most suffering from severe obesity and related health conditions.
  • Although the FDA has not approved GLP-1 drugs for children under 12, doctors are legally prescribing them off-label based on clinical guidelines.
  • Medical experts suggest the benefits of GLP-1s may outweigh potential risks by preventing severe long-term conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
  • Clinical trials are actively underway to evaluate the safety and efficacy of GLP-1 treatments in children as young as six years old.

IN FULL

GLP-1 use in US kids under-12 soars - even without FDA approval

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