The medication Wegovy, which contains semaglutide and belongs to the class of GLP-1 receptor agonists, is being tested in children and young people. The results of a clinical trial showed that 40.4% of participating children were no longer obese after a treatment period of 68 weeks.
The study involved minors aged 6 to 11 years, covering an age group for which these medications do not yet have official approval. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have not authorized the use of these drugs in children.
The research analyzed the effects of semaglutide administered weekly by subcutaneous injection, in combination with lifestyle interventions. The results suggest that the medication may be effective in reducing childhood obesity, although close medical supervision continues to be necessary.
Currently, the use of GLP-1 agonists remains approved only for adults, both in Europe and in the United States. Expansion to younger age groups depends on regulatory approvals that have not yet been granted.
