Semaglutide Helps Children with Obesity Lose Weight Safely in UK Clinic
In a UK pediatric weight management clinic, 50 children aged 10-18 with comorbid obesity achieved significant BMI reduction and 6.4% weight loss at 6 months on once-weekly semaglutide 1 mg.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Once-weekly semaglutide 1 mg in children aged 10-18 with comorbid obesity produced 6.4% total weight loss at 6 months and 8.9% at 12 months in a real-world UK pediatric clinic.
Key Numbers
50 children; ages 10-18; BMI SD score >2; all with weight-related comorbidities including insulin resistance; minimum 6 months treatment.
How They Did This
Retrospective observational study of 50 children from a tertiary paediatric multidisciplinary weight management clinic in a UK hospital, treated with semaglutide for at least 6 months.
Why This Research Matters
Childhood obesity with comorbidities is a growing crisis with limited pharmacological options. This real-world evidence supports semaglutide's safety and efficacy in children — complementing clinical trial data with practical clinical experience.
The Bigger Picture
Pediatric obesity pharmacotherapy is entering a new era. While clinical trials established GLP-1RA efficacy in adolescents, real-world studies like this confirm that benefits extend to routine clinical practice — and that side effect profiles remain manageable in children.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Retrospective observational study without a control group. Only 50 patients, with 12-month data available for only 14. Single center in the UK. Maximum dose was 1 mg (lower than the 2.4 mg used for weight management in adults). No long-term follow-up beyond 12 months.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would higher semaglutide doses (2.4 mg) achieve greater weight loss in children?
- ?What happens to weight when semaglutide is discontinued in pediatric patients?
- ?Are there differences in efficacy or side effects across the 10-18 age range?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 6.4% weight loss at 6 months 50 children aged 10-18 with comorbid obesity treated with once-weekly semaglutide 1 mg in a UK clinic
- Evidence Grade:
- Preliminary evidence — retrospective observational study without control group. Valuable real-world data but cannot establish causation. Small sample with limited long-term follow-up.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2024. Among the earliest real-world pediatric semaglutide studies in the UK.
- Original Title:
- Semaglutide treatment for children with obesity: an observational study.
- Published In:
- Archives of disease in childhood, 109(10), 822-825 (2024)
- Database ID:
- RPEP-09422
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
Is semaglutide safe for children?
In this study of 50 children aged 10-18, semaglutide appeared safe overall. Most side effects were mild stomach issues (nausea, etc.). One child developed gallstones and five stopped treatment due to side effects. The children were monitored in a specialized weight management clinic with dietary and lifestyle support.
How much weight did the children lose?
On average, children lost about 7 kg (6.4% of body weight) after 6 months on semaglutide. Those followed for a full year lost about 9.7 kg (8.9% of body weight). All children also received dietary advice and lifestyle support alongside the medication.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/RPEP-09422APA
van Boxel, Elizabeth-Jane; Rahman, Saqib; Lai, Karen; Boulos, Nabil; Davis, Nikki. (2024). Semaglutide treatment for children with obesity: an observational study.. Archives of disease in childhood, 109(10), 822-825. https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2023-326687
MLA
van Boxel, Elizabeth-Jane, et al. "Semaglutide treatment for children with obesity: an observational study.." Archives of disease in childhood, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2023-326687
RethinkPeptides
RethinkPeptides Research Database. "Semaglutide treatment for children with obesity: an observat..." RPEP-09422. Retrieved from https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/van-2024-semaglutide-treatment-for-children
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkPeptides research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.