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Diet and exercise before drugs, WHO says in its first guideline on adolescent obesity
- United Nations
- The Who
What happened
On Oct. 7, the World Health Organization released its first global guidelines on managing obesity in children and teens. It puts diet, physical activity and behavior-change programs first. It advises against weight-loss drugs, bariatric surgery or devices for children under 10. For ages 10 to 19, drugs such as GLP-1s may be considered only after supervised lifestyle programs fail.
Summary
The World Health Organization has issued its first global guidelines for treating obesity in children and teenagers. The core message is that care should start with healthier eating, more physical activity and support for changing daily habits, with families involved. For children younger than 10, the WHO does not recommend weight-loss medicines, bariatric surgery (an operation on the digestive system to cause weight loss) or weight-loss devices. It cites doubts about their safety and long-term effects. The agency says about 170 million young people ages 5 to 19 were living with obesity in 2024, a share that has quadrupled since 1990, from 2% to 8%. [3] [5] [10] [11] [12]
For adolescents ages 10 to 19, approved medicines such as GLP-1 drugs may be considered, but only after a supervised lifestyle program has not worked. Surgery could be an option under strict conditions for mature teens with severe obesity after six months of unsuccessful treatment. Luz María De Regil, who directs the WHO's nutrition and food safety department, said the evidence on GLP-1s in young people is currently insufficient. She said the agency may revise its advice as trial results come in. The guidelines also call for treating anxiety, depression, stigma and bullying alongside weight. They urge governments to make healthy food and exercise more affordable and accessible. [5] [9] [10] [11] [12]
The guidance arrives as drugmakers test these medicines in younger children. Forbes reports that Novo Nordisk said last month its drug Wegovy helped two of five obese children ages 6 to 12 drop out of the obese category after a year. Eli Lilly, AstraZeneca and Pfizer are also studying the drugs in children. The WHO's advice is not binding in the U.S. There, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends offering medication to obese teens 12 and older alongside lifestyle treatment. Canadian pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Marina Ybarra welcomed the WHO's acknowledgment of medication. She said she hopes it helps win public funding for young patients in Canada. [2] [9] [11]
Summary written by Vox Populi News from the 12 sources below. See all sources
Key questions
Do U.S. doctors have to follow the WHO's child obesity guidelines?
No. The guidance is advisory and does not change FDA approvals or insurance rules. U.S. pediatricians generally follow the American Academy of Pediatrics, which recommends offering weight-loss medication to teens 12 and older with obesity. [11]
Can teenagers take GLP-1 weight-loss drugs under the WHO guidance?
Yes, in some cases. The WHO says approved medicines may be considered for ages 10 to 19, but only after a supervised diet, exercise and behavior program has failed. Long-term follow-up is needed. [5] [9] [10] [12]
Why does the WHO advise against obesity drugs for children under 10?
The WHO says there is not enough evidence on how the drugs affect children's long-term growth, development and mental health. It also points to a risk of misuse. It says the evidence will be reviewed as more trial data emerge. [2] [3] [5] [11]
Sources 12
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1AolRead on Aol (opens in a new tab)
Access to GLP-1s Could Help Tackle TN Cardiovascular Crisis | Opinion
As states grapple with rising rates of obesity, heart disease and other chronic conditions, Tennessee is demonstrating what true innovative health policy can look like.
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2ForbesRead on Forbes (opens in a new tab)
WHO Recommends Against GLP-1s For Young Kids -- Amid Wegovy Trial For 6 Year Olds
The World Health Organization on Wednesday warned against the use of GLP-1 weight-loss medications in obese children as pharmaceutical companies continue with pediatric research studying how the…
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3Bloomberg BusinessRead on Bloomberg Business (opens in a new tab)
WHO Says Obesity Drugs Shouldn't Be Used for Young Children
The World Health Organization issued a strong recommendation against obesity medications for children under the age of 10, saying it's not clear how the powerful drugs would affect them in the long…
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4Zero HedgeRead on Zero Hedge (opens in a new tab)
When Did Obesity Become A Drug Deficiency?
Look at almost any photograph of an American crowd taken 60 years ago. It can be a baseball game, a high school graduation, a beach, an airport terminal, a factory floor, or simply people walking…
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5MedscapeRead on Medscape (opens in a new tab)
WHO Endorses Lifestyle Changes Over GLP-1 Drugs in Child Obesity Fight
Oct 7 (Reuters) - The World Health Organization on Wednesday recommended diet, exercise and counseling over popular weight-loss drugs in its first global guidelines addressing rising obesity among…
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6News-Medical.netRead on News-Medical.net (opens in a new tab)
New global definition changes how childhood obesity is identified
Murdoch Childrens Research InstituteOct 6 2026Reviewed A new global definition of clinical obesity classifies far fewer children as obese than the widely used body mass index (BMI), according to a…
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7EurekAlert!Read on EurekAlert! (opens in a new tab)
Childhood obesity less common under new global definition
* A Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI)-led study has found a new global definition of clinical obesity classifies far fewer children as clinically obese in comparison to obesity as defined…
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8The Commercial AppealRead on The Commercial Appeal (opens in a new tab)
Access to GLP-1s Could Help Tackle TN Cardiovascular Crisis | Opinion
Commercial Appeal journalists cover the important moments in Memphis and the Mid-South. Support local journalism by subscribing.
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9YahooRead on Yahoo (opens in a new tab)
Should kids living with obesity be on GLP-1s? New global guidance says yes -- in some cases
The first-ever international guidelines on managing childhood obesity from the World Health Organization (WHO) are raising the profile of GLP-1 treatments for kids and teens -- but with strict…
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10RTTNewsRead on RTTNews (opens in a new tab)
WHO Issues First Global Guidelines For Managing Childhood Obesity
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued its first-ever global guidelines for managing childhood obesity.
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11Medical DailyRead on Medical Daily (opens in a new tab)
WHO's First Child Obesity Guidelines Advise Against Weight-Loss Drugs, Surgery and Devices for Children Under 10
The World Health Organization does not recommend weight-loss drugs, bariatric surgery or weight-loss devices for children younger than 10, according to its first global guidelines on managing obesity…
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12Global IssuesRead on Global Issues (opens in a new tab)
WHO releases first global guidelines on child obesity as cases surge
Child and adolescent obesity has quadrupled since 1990, rising from two per cent to around eight per cent of youngsters in the five-to-19 age group, according to the UN World Health Organization…
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