Metabolic HealthGLP-1 Drugs and Metformin Trim BMI in Obese Youth but Long-Term Safety Remains Unknown
A major Cochrane systematic review analyzed 37 randomized controlled trials involving over 4,200 children and adolescents with obesity. Drugs including GLP-1 receptor agonists, metformin, orlistat, and others reduced BMI by about 1.8 kg/m² and body weight by roughly 5.5 kg compared to placebo. However, the evidence was rated low certainty due to high variability across studies. Adverse events were common but discontinuation rates were only slightly higher with medications. Crucially, quality of life showed little improvement, and data on children under 10 were scarce. The review calls for longer follow-up studies to understand growth impacts, optimal treatment duration, and what happens when these medications are stopped in younger populations.
