One in five U.S. Adolescent obesity rates are climbing, leading to severe health risks. The FDA approved GLP-1s for children over 12 and dispensing has increased. Questions about long-term effects of GLP-1s on children remain largely unanswered. Obesity is a growing concern across the U.S., and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it’s reached an all-time high in children and adolescents. About 1 in 5 U.S. CDC. Experiencing obesity in childhood can lead to greater risks of adult obesity and other concerns like type 2 diabetes, heart disease and social and emotional struggles. The National Library of Medicine said weight loss is the best way to improve the consequences of chronic obesity. Calorie restriction with or without physical exercise is the traditional treatment, MedicGLP Supplement whereas bariatric surgery has proven to be the most effective treatment. GLP-1s were developed in the early 2010s and are now a third option for weight loss, MedicGLP Official Support but it seems people are increasingly reaching for them first, and users are getting younger and younger.
In 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the use of liraglutide for obese children between ages 12 and 17, and it approved the use of semaglutide in 2022. To be prescribed the drug, patients must meet a specific body mass index and weight. Of the 1 in 5 obese adolescents in the U.S., fewer than 1% of them use a GLP-1, according to the CDC. But as prices of these drugs drop, that number is expected to increase. Deseret News reported that Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare company, has plans to reduce the U.S. 675 a month for patients with insurance compared to current prices of $1,000 to $1,349 a month. Because GLP-1s are such a new drug, the long-term effects, especially on developing children, are largely unknown. The drug is one that must be taken consistently to continue working. "We still don’t know what a lifetime on GLP-1s looks like," The New York Times said. But, doctors seem willing to gamble with the unknown long-term risks on the promise of positive short-term results.
Dr. Aaron Kelly, co-director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Pediatric Obesity Medicine, is one of the doctors heading that charge. Per the Times, "Dr. Kelly is now part of a team running a study on GLP-1s in children as young as 6." The results for children have been similar to those seen in adults; children on the drugs lose weight and improve their blood pressure, sugar control and cholesterol levels. Children also seem to experience short-term side effects similar to those of adults like nausea and vomiting. The Times asked good questions regarding children and GLP-1s: "How do the medications affect a child’s growth and development? How do they shape growing bones, brains and muscles? What’s their impact on puberty and mental health? What of body image and nutrient intake? " While the answers are unclear, the American Association of Medical Colleges reported the experience of Frankie McGinn, a 16-year-old from Chicago who lost 42 pounds with the help of GLP-1s: "I’m happier, and I have more confidence. I feel better in my body.
Science continues to prove that the old adage "you are what you eat" is profoundly true. This is because you have trillions of microorganisms living in your gut, which are directly responsible for nearly every aspect of your health. These microbes make up what’s called your "gut microbiota." They are especially influential in determining your likelihood of gaining excessive weight, becoming obese, and developing obesity-related diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and premature death. The gut microbiome (the expressed genes of your gut microbiota) plays a major role in your metabolism through energy production, storage, and expenditure. So, it’s no surprise that science has found a strong connection between gut microbiome imbalance and metabolic syndrome. Yikes! If you have the wrong mix of microbes, it could be making it tough for you to get your health on track! Did you know: Scientists can actually look at your gut microbiome composition and tell with 90% accuracy if you are obese or lean. That’s pretty impressive, isn’t it?
1. Unable to lose weight and keep it off? 2. Struggling to fight cravings? 3. Sick of starving yourself for weight loss? 4. Baffled as to why no diet seems to really work for you? Depending on the composition of your gut microbiome, your microbes can either boost your health or weigh you down (figuratively and literally). The good news is this: You have control over these little guys with every bite you eat. Diet has the power to change the landscape of your gut microbiome. So, if you’ve tried multiple diets and can’t seem to get the results you want, it’s time to look into your gut microbiome.Will You Lose Weight Naturally on an Individualized Diet? If you’ve been struggling to lose weight and keep it off - it could be your gut microbiome. While Viome doesn’t guarantee weight loss, it has been an exciting result many of our customers have reported. "Fiona’s update day 37!
