Weight loss drugs for children? Experts warn lifestyle change is still key
Peter Paumgardhen | Last update: 2nd November 2025
As the number of children living with obesity in the UK continues to rise, some extreme cases are now being treated with powerful weight loss drugs. But while the drugs may help in specific situations, experts agree: they’re no silver bullet
A growing crisis and a controversial response
Across the UK, the number of children and teens classed as obese is at record levels. The latest data published by the NHS for 2023-2024 shows 22.1 per cent of children in Year 6 (aged 10 to 11) in England were obese. In some extreme cases where health is at risk, young people are now being prescribed GLP-1 weight loss drugs, including Wegovy and Mounjaro.
Recent studies show that these drugs can be effective in helping children lose weight, improve blood sugar levels and reduce emotional distress around food.
Read this special report from Reuters on obesity in children
But this is not routine and it’s not a simple solution. These medications are only used in rare cases where children are facing serious health problems and haven’t responded to other interventions.
Lifestyle change is still the real answer
While these powerful drugs might help a small group of children at high risk, they do not address the root causes of weight gain in younger people. We need to tackle poor diet, lack of exercise, and ultra-processed food environments for a longer term solution.
Critics argue that putting children on jabs too early could shift focus away from building healthy habits.
At SlimrChat, we agree that these drugs should never be a first-line option for young people, and that what’s truly needed is:
- Better access to education around nutrition
- Support for families to cook fresh food
- Safe spaces and time for children to be active
- Less exposure to unhealthy, processed foods
SlimrChat’s view
GLP-1 drugs are powerful, but they are not magic. They can’t replace a healthy home environment, balanced meals or movement. When used properly in adults, they’re a great tool to reset habits and unlock change.
When it comes to kids, medicine is not the main fix – real change starts with the world around them.