WHO Introduces New Childhood Obesity Guidelines

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first-ever guidelines for managing Childhood Obesity among children and adolescents, offering recommendations that range from lifestyle changes to, in certain cases, medication and surgery.

The guidance comes as childhood obesity continues to rise worldwide. Since 1990, the share of children ages 5 to 9 and adolescents ages 10 to 19 living with obesity has quadrupled, increasing from 2% to 8%. More than 170 million young people are now affected by the chronic condition, which can raise the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other health problems.

The WHO also highlighted the social impact of obesity, noting that children can face stigma, discrimination and bullying because of their weight.

Focus on Lifestyle Changes

The WHO recommends a person-centered approach that combines healthy nutrition, regular physical activity and behavioral support. The organization said these measures should form the foundation of obesity treatment, particularly for younger children.

For children under 10, the WHO does not recommend obesity medications or bariatric surgery. Instead, clinicians should focus on structured programs designed to improve eating habits, encourage physical activity and support sustainable behavioral changes.

The recommendations are based on an assessment of 35 scholarly reviews, although researchers acknowledged that evidence surrounding obesity medications in children remains limited and continues to develop.

Medications May Be Considered for Adolescents

For some adolescents, medication could be considered when lifestyle-based interventions do not produce sufficient results. The WHO said such treatment should only be considered when a young person is physically and mentally prepared.

The guidance comes as GLP-1 drugs have become increasingly popular for treating obesity and diabetes. Medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy have transformed the weight-loss market, particularly in the United States.

However, evidence for their use in younger children remains limited. Drugmakers Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are conducting clinical trials involving children as young as six, but the WHO said there is currently insufficient evidence to determine whether these treatments are safe and effective for children under 10.

Growing Use Despite Limited Evidence

Prescription use among children is rising despite the limited research. A study published in Pediatrics found that GLP-1 prescriptions among children ages 8 to 11 increased sharply between 2019 and 2026.

Researchers estimated that around 20,000 children without diabetes but with obesity were prescribed GLP-1 medications from a group of more than 3.5 million children.

The WHO said its recommendations will evolve as more evidence becomes available.

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