Groundbreaking Obesity Treatment for Children: Liraglutide Approved for Ages 6 and Up

In a significant breakthrough, a drug approved for treating obesity in adults and teens has now been found safe and effective for use in children as young as 6 years old. The study, presented at a medical conference and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showcases the potential of this treatment to address the growing childhood obesity epidemic.

Unlocking a New Era in Pediatric Obesity Management

Addressing the Unmet Need for Childhood Obesity Treatment

Childhood obesity has long been a pressing public health concern, with over 20% of U.S. children aged 6 to 11 affected by this chronic condition. Until now, the options for treating obesity in this age group have been severely limited, leaving many families and healthcare providers feeling helpless. "To date, children have had virtually no options for treating obesity," explains Dr. Claudia Fox, a pediatric obesity expert at the University of Minnesota who led the study. "They have been told to 'try harder' with diet and exercise."The approval of liraglutide for use in children as young as 6 could be a game-changer, providing a much-needed tool to address the underlying physiological drivers of obesity. "Having a medication for that age group, if approved, would be a really nice tool to have," says Dr. Melissa Crocker, a pediatric obesity specialist at Boston Children's Hospital. "And I would answer that differently at 6 than I would at 11."

Proven Efficacy and Safety in Clinical Trials

The new study, funded by Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of liraglutide, involved 82 children with a mean age of 10 and an average baseline weight of 155 pounds (70 kilograms). The participants had a BMI above the threshold for childhood obesity, and more than half had obesity-related health problems such as insulin resistance, asthma, or early puberty.Over the course of nearly 13 months, the children who received daily injections of up to 3 milligrams of liraglutide saw a significant reduction in their body mass index (BMI) – a measure that accounts for a child's natural growth. These children experienced a 5.8% decrease in their BMI, while those who received the placebo saw a 1.6% increase.Furthermore, the children taking liraglutide slowed their weight gain to just 1.6% of their body weight, compared to a 10% gain for those who received the placebo. The study also found that 46% of the children who received the drug lowered their BMI by at least 5%, an amount linked to improvements in obesity-related health problems.While side effects, primarily gastrointestinal in nature, were common among those taking the drug, the researchers noted that the benefits outweighed the risks. "We want these kids to have long, healthy lives," says Dr. Alaina Vidmar, a pediatric obesity specialist at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. "The sooner that we can start, the more likely we can stop them from getting early onset diabetes, early onset heart disease, sleep apnea, all of those things. Doing nothing is not the right answer."

Expanding Treatment Options for Childhood Obesity

The positive results of this study have prompted Novo Nordisk to seek approval from U.S. regulators to expand the use of liraglutide for children aged 6 to 11. If granted, this would make liraglutide the first authorized treatment for the most common type of childhood obesity affecting this age group.The approval of liraglutide for children would not only provide a much-needed treatment option but also pave the way for the development of even more powerful weekly injections, such as Novo's Wegovy and Lilly's Zepbound, which are currently being tested in clinical trials for children as young as 6.As the medical community continues to grapple with the complex and chronic nature of childhood obesity, the availability of safe and effective pharmacological interventions like liraglutide could be a crucial step in helping these young patients lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. "We want these kids to have long, healthy lives," emphasizes Dr. Vidmar. "Doing nothing is not the right answer."