A 68-week study found that nearly half of teenagers who received 2.4mg of Semaglutide (Wegovy) lost enough weight that they no longer met criteria for obesity.
Approximately 25% of patients at the end of the study had a body weight within normal values.
Experts state that Wegovy represents a significant therapeutic option in the treatment of obesity in children and adolescents.
Wegovy is the brand name for Semaglutide, a drug similar to Ozempic, which became known for its weight-reducing effects in adults. Although it has gained a lot of popularity recently, this drug is not new – it was approved in 2021 for people diagnosed with obesity or overweight with comorbidities. U.S. At the end of 2022, the Food and Drug Administration extended the approval to adolescents aged 12 to 17.
“Scientific research allows us to better understand how weight loss therapies work in teenagers,” said Dr. Emily Breidbart, an endocrinologist at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone in New York.
The conducted scientific trial, as well as the subsequent approval of the drug Weogovy for specific patients aged 12 and older, were considered a significant advance in treating childhood obesity.
“This step gives us another crucial option in the treatment of childhood obesity,” said Dr. Daniel Ganjian, a pediatrician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in California.
More About The Findings From the Trial on Teens Treated with Wegovy
201 adolescents aged 12 to 17 years participated in the study, of whom 200 subjects had been diagnosed with obesity. Of the total number, 131 subjects received 2.4mg of Semaglutide once weekly, while the rest received a placebo.
By the end of the study, approximately 44.9% of teenagers who were obese no longer belonged to the classified obese group, and about 25% of them had reached a body weight within normal limits.
“Study results confirm that Wegovy (Semaglutide) is effective in treating obesity in adolescents,” said Dr. Natasha Agbai, a San Francisco pediatrician specializing in pediatric weight management.
The effectiveness of Wegovy in teenagers is based on a mechanism similar to that observed in adult patients, with good results.
“This drug can regulate appetite, so a person feels full more quickly during meals and has less desire for food between meals,” explains Dr. Michael Genjian. Although he considers the research results to be encouraging, he emphasizes that Wegovy should not be seen as the only comprehensive solution for obesity treatment.
“This is not a panacea or a final cure for the disease,” Ganjian points out the need for a broader therapeutic picture.
Similarly, the US Food and Drug Administration’s approval states that adolescents who start Wegovy therapy must receive structured guidance about diet and physical activity.
Dr. Michelle W. Katzow, medical director of the POWER Kids program at Northwell Health at Cohen Children’s Medical Center, explains that the diet’s recommendations include increased intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while limiting highly processed foods high in sugar and saturated fat.
Physical activity represents another crucial factor, with a goal of at least 60 minutes of moderate to intense activity per day.
Ganjian further notes that the study does not answer a key question – whether adolescents will need to use the therapy long-term to maintain results.
A clinical trial from 2022 included about 2,000 adult subjects, and the results indicated that patients who stopped using Semaglutide at a dose of 2.4mg once a week for a period of one year regained approximately two-thirds of the weight they had lost. These results highlight the challenge of maintaining the achieved outcomes after discontinuation of therapy.
The situation is different for adolescents, who are in a phase of intense growth and hormonal changes. However, according to Dr. Breidbart, young patients on Weogovy therapy are most likely to need long-term treatment.
He explains that obesity is treated as a chronic disease, similar to asthma or diabetes, which implies ongoing management, rather than short-term treatment.
Breidbart emphasizes that the effects of weight loss are rarely maintained after treatment is stopped. Also, pubertal growth or height gain, body mass index (BMI) in adolescents with chronic obesity.
However, there are individual differences and potential risks, which is why therapy must be monitored and adjusted by a physician, with careful assessment of the long-term benefits and risks for each patient.
Potential Risks of Wegovy for Teens
Experts have noted that Weogovy is generally safe to use. “Rare side effects can include problems with the kidney, pancreas, gallbladder, and thyroid function,” says Dr. Michael Ganjian.
Dr. Michelle W. Katzow adds that Wegovy can cause various side effects, such as:
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Fatigue
Risks of Obesity in Teens
According to available data from the U.S, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 20% of adolescents between the ages of 12 and 19 (22.2%) are diagnosed with obesity. This condition can have short-term and long-term health consequences.
“Obesity in teenagers carries risks for general health and quality of life,” points out Dr. Natasha Agbai. “Obesity can lead to chronic disease and reduced quality of life in the long term.”
Risk associated with childhood obesity includes:
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Obesity in adulthood
- Depression
A 2021 study included participants aged 10 to 23 and found that patients with elevated BMI showed signs of arterial hardening, a recognized risk factor for heart disease.
A 2016 review found that children diagnosed with obesity and obstructive sleep apnea were less likely to benefit from adenotonsillectomy – the surgical removal of adenoids to open the airways – compared with peers of normal weight.
A 2016 review suggested a possible link between obesity and depression, although the authors could not confirm a clear link. Dr. Michelle W. Katzow emphasizes the importance of the connection between youth mental health and obesity.
“Many of the long-term negative health outcomes associated with obesity may be the result of stigma and discrimination, rather than the disease itself. This problem is not the responsibility of people with obesity to solve – it is the responsibility of society as a whole.” Katzow points out.
Tackling the Topic of Obesity with Teens
To avoid stigmatization, parents sometimes avoid talking to their children about obesity and the possibility of using Wegovy. Dr. Michelle W. Katzow points out that this can sometimes be beneficial, as an individualized approach is crucial.
“Parents and doctors need to start with the child – their interests, motivations, and goals,” explains Katzow. “If an adolescent does not want to talk about obesity, forcing the topic can sometimes deepen the problem. Pressure can harm, especially when the child has different goals than the parents’ or the doctor’s goals.
On the other hand, Dr. Emily Breidbart often works with teenagers who want to lose weight and helps them achieve their goals safely and effectively.
Lifestyle changes remain the primary treatment approach, but they may not be enough on their own. In such cases, the drug Wegovy can be a good option. A holistic approach is key, including mental health care.
“This is a conversation that needs to be had with parents, teenagers, and sometimes a psychologist to consider the factors that contribute to binge eating, emotional eating, or eating anxiety,” explains Dr. Emily Breidbart. “Typically, deciding on therapy is a process that takes time and careful consideration.”
