Doctors prescribe GLP-1 drugs to some children for weight loss

(Aging Untold) — BATON ROUGE, La. — Weight-loss drugs known as GLP-1s, which are popular with adults, are now being prescribed for some children, according to Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board-certified physician and Aging Untold host.

Students learn healthy habits

Students at Magnolia Woods Elementary in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, are learning about healthy eating and exercise as part of a statewide push to lower obesity rates.

When lifestyle changes are not enough

For some children, healthy eating and exercise are not enough, Rogers said.

“Sometimes that just move more and eat less is not enough because you have genetics and all that,” Rogers said. “And then really, when you get too big, that’s a hormonal dysregulation.”

Rogers said “GLP-1 agonists” are “huge in terms of getting rid of that food noise, that food noise and food chatter.” She said they are also “anti-inflammatory.”

“Some people just need a little bit more help because of that hormonal dysregulation,” Rogers said.

Who may be a candidate

The age requirement for diabetes patients can be 10 and up.

Experts also say the ideal candidate for a GLP-1 for weight loss has a BMI at or above the 95th percentile, and lifestyle changes alone have not worked. This includes patients who have developed hormone problems requiring medical intervention.

“It’s not a miracle drug — it’s a tool, and so you have to treat the whole entire scenario,” Rogers said.

Cost remains a barrier

The price of GLP-1s remains a barrier for many families.

For patients who cannot afford medication or choose not to take any, the option for now is well-balanced meals and a healthy lifestyle.

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