The WHO states that nutrition, activity, and behavioral modifications should be the primary line of treatment for childhood and teenage obesity in its first worldwide guidelines.
The guidelines are released at a time when weight-loss medications are the most well-known and popular medications worldwide. In the commercial sector, adults looking to lose weight are increasingly turning to glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), which raises concerns about the use of these vaccines in children and early adolescents.
De Regil continued, "Our top priority must be to guaranty that every child and adolescent has access to high-quality care and supportive environments from an early age, helping them achieve and maintain a healthy weight and laying the foundation for lifelong health and well-being."
In recent years, Novo's semaglutide and Eli Lilly's tirzepatide have led the way in the use of GLP-1RAs. In Q2, Lilly's tirzepatide sales, which include both Zepbound and Mounjaro, came in just under $15 billion. In doing so, the pill surpassed Keytruda, MSD's cancer blockbuster, to become the world's best-selling medication. With the introduction of oral alternatives, the obesity field is currently going through a paradigm shift. In contrast to injectable GLP-1RAs, Novo and Lilly have both approved daily tablets to treat obesity; however, these are not authorized for use in minors.
Instead of using medications to address childhood and teenage obesity, the World Health Organization (WHO) has advised health authorities to look for lifestyle changes.
The organization outlines how health systems and healthcare professionals may provide the greatest care for these non-adult age groups in its first worldwide guidelines for child and adolescent obesity. The announcement coincides with the fact that the prevalence of obesity among those aged five to 19 has increased fourfold since 1990, impacting 170 million people in 2024.
The WHO suggests systematic nutrition, physical activity, and behavior-changing treatments given as a single framework or through separate programs to assist address this dramatic increase. Under specific supervision, digital health interventions are also beneficial.
The most notable feature of the guidelines was that, for those under the age of nine, the government did not advise bariatric surgery, weight loss gadgets, or pharmaceutical treatment.
"Access to comprehensive support that enables healthy eating, physical activity, and sustainable behavior change is the foundation of obesity care for children and adolescents, not medicine or surgery," stated Dr. Luz MarÃa De Regil, director of the WHO's department of nutrition and food safety.
The organization outlines how health systems and healthcare professionals may provide the greatest care for these non-adult age groups in its first worldwide guidelines for child and adolescent obesity. The announcement coincides with the fact that the prevalence of obesity among those aged five to 19 has increased fourfold since 1990, impacting 170 million people in 2024.
The WHO suggests systematic nutrition, physical activity, and behavior-changing treatments given as a single framework or through separate programs to assist address this dramatic increase. Under specific supervision, digital health interventions are also beneficial.
The most notable feature of the guidelines was that, for those under the age of nine, the government did not advise bariatric surgery, weight loss gadgets, or pharmaceutical treatment.
"Access to comprehensive support that enables healthy eating, physical activity, and sustainable behavior change is the foundation of obesity care for children and adolescents, not medicine or surgery," stated Dr. Luz MarÃa De Regil, director of the WHO's department of nutrition and food safety.
The guidelines are released at a time when weight-loss medications are the most well-known and popular medications worldwide. In the commercial sector, adults looking to lose weight are increasingly turning to glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), which raises concerns about the use of these vaccines in children and early adolescents.
De Regil continued, "Our top priority must be to guaranty that every child and adolescent has access to high-quality care and supportive environments from an early age, helping them achieve and maintain a healthy weight and laying the foundation for lifelong health and well-being."
In recent years, Novo's semaglutide and Eli Lilly's tirzepatide have led the way in the use of GLP-1RAs. In Q2, Lilly's tirzepatide sales, which include both Zepbound and Mounjaro, came in just under $15 billion. In doing so, the pill surpassed Keytruda, MSD's cancer blockbuster, to become the world's best-selling medication. With the introduction of oral alternatives, the obesity field is currently going through a paradigm shift. In contrast to injectable GLP-1RAs, Novo and Lilly have both approved daily tablets to treat obesity; however, these are not authorized for use in minors.