An expert in pediatric obesity has called for the potential use of weight-loss medications, such as Ozempic, for children as young as 12, citing a growing body of evidence that suggests these treatments may be effective for severely obese adolescents.
Professor Louise Baur, president of the World Obesity Federation and a renowned pediatrician at the University of Sydney, addressed the International Congress on Obesity in São Paulo, Brazil, where she discussed the increasing prevalence of obesity in younger populations. According to Professor Baur, these medications, which are already used in adults, could offer a viable treatment option for teenagers struggling with severe obesity.
Baur emphasized that these weight-loss drugs, including Ozempic, work in the same manner for younger patients as they do for adults, and in extreme cases, their use could be appropriate for children even younger than 12. She stressed, however, that these medications should not be viewed as a “cure” for obesity but rather as part of a broader, multi-faceted approach to managing the condition.
While acknowledging the effectiveness of medication, Baur was quick to point out that weight-loss drugs must always be accompanied by significant lifestyle changes, such as improved diet and exercise. She emphasized that obesity is a chronic condition that requires long-term management and should not be treated as an acute illness.
As childhood obesity rates continue to climb globally, experts like Baur argue that incorporating modern, medically-supported interventions could help address the issue in more extreme cases, providing an alternative to more invasive surgical options. The ongoing discussion around the safety and efficacy of weight-loss drugs for children is expected to remain a key area of focus in the fight against rising obesity rates.
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