GLP-1 Medications Show Promise for Kids, Teens With Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes

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Overall, GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) appear to be effective and relatively safe for kids and teens, at least in the short term, in helping with blood sugar control, weight and heart-related health risks, according to a new study published in JAMA Pediatrics.

Childhood obesity and Type 2 diabetes are on the rise, with about one in five kids and teens affected. These children have a higher risk of developing other comorbidities, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia and liver disease, as well as a prolonged duration of chronic disease during their lifetime.

The study, led by Pareeta Kotecha, Pharm.D., M.S., of the College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, evaluated how GLP-1 RAs, which are already used in adults for diabetes and weight management, work for children and teens.

“Given the important public health concern, early intervention is crucial in children and adolescents with obesity or Type 2 diabetes,” investigators wrote.

The analysis included 18 clinical trials involving 1,402 participants ages 6 to 17, who had obesity, prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes. A systematic search was used to identify applicable studies published from inception until February 2025.

Among the participants, 838 were receiving GLP-1 RA treatment and 564 were on placebo. The mean age of children was 13.7 years, 60% were female and the treatment duration was about half a year.

Compared with placebo, kids and teens taking GLP-1 RAs saw improvements in several key areas:

• Blood sugar control: Hemoglobin A1c dropped by almost half a percent, and fasting blood sugar levels also went down.
• Weight and body size: On average, participants lost about 3 kilograms (6 to 7 pounds), and their BMI (body mass index) and BMI percentile decreased significantly.
• Heart health measures: Systolic blood pressure dropped by about 3 points, a positive sign for long-term heart health.

Importantly, these benefits were seen across different conditions (obesity, Type 2 diabetes and even prediabetes) and ages.

Similar to the effects in adults, the most common adverse events were gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. These were more frequent with GLP-1 RAs compared with placebo. However, other safety concerns — including depression, suicidal thoughts or behaviors, liver issues or infections — did not show significant differences between groups.

Despite these optimistic findings, investigators cautioned that most studies only followed patients for up to a year. They noted that more research is needed to understand the long-term safety and impact of these medications in young people, especially since side effects like nausea can affect adherence.

Investigators mentioned some limitations, including that certain outcomes, such as depression, suicidal thoughts or liver disease, were not the main focus of the included studies, so the results may be less precise. Differences in study designs, patient groups and outcome measures also make comparisons challenging. In some cases, information was incomplete because not all outcomes were reported in published studies. Finally, differences in how studies reported side effects and treatment adherence make it harder to draw firm conclusions.

However, the team concluded that the analysis “provides a comprehensive evaluation of the benefits and risks associated with GLP-1 RAs in the pediatric population, enabling patients, caregivers and clinicians to make more informed treatment decisions.”