WHO issues first global guidelines steering children under 10 away from obesity drugs

The World Health Organization issued its first global guidelines on childhood obesity Wednesday, recommending diet, exercise and counseling instead of weight-loss drugs for children under 10.

• The agency directed children under 10 toward diet, physical activity and behavioral support, citing uncertainty over the long-term safety and effectiveness of medications, surgery or devices.
• WHO said weight-loss drugs may be considered for adolescents aged 10–19 with obesity, but only after supervised interventions fail.
• Luz Maria De Regil, WHO nutrition director, said there is insufficient evidence on GLP-1 drugs, though researchers are monitoring safety and efficacy trials.
• WHO reported that about 170 million people aged 5–19 were obese in 2024, a prevalence that has quadrupled since 1990.