GLP-1 Use Among 13-25s Hits 96.1% as Bariatric Surgery Falls to 3.7%
Updated
Updated · Gizmodo · Jul 21
GLP-1 Use Among 13-25s Hits 96.1% as Bariatric Surgery Falls to 3.7%
3 articles · Updated · Gizmodo · Jul 21
Summary
A JAMA Pediatrics study of 204,148 U.S. patients ages 13 to 25 found obesity treatment shifted sharply toward GLP-1 drugs between 2022 and early 2026.
Exclusive GLP-1 use rose from 88.2% in May-November 2022 to 96.1% in June 2025-January 2026, while bariatric surgery fell from 11.6% to 3.7%; combined use stayed rare at about 0.2%.
Researchers linked the change to the rapid uptake of drugs such as semaglutide and to evolving pediatric obesity care after Wegovy won approval for patients 12 and older.
The authors said the shift outpaces evidence on long-term effects in younger patients and called for clearer guidance on when to use medication, surgery, or both.
With GLP-1s now common for teens, what unknown developmental impacts will emerge over the next decade?
As teens embrace weight-loss drugs, are we creating a generation of lifelong patients?
The GLP-1 Revolution: Declining Bariatric Surgery and the New Landscape of Pediatric Obesity Care (2022–2026)
Overview
Between 2022 and 2026, youth obesity treatment changed dramatically as GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s) quickly became widely used. These medications moved beyond just helping with weight loss, showing benefits for heart and kidney health, fertility, arthritis, and even addiction. Experts began to see GLP-1s as possible longevity drugs, leading to new hopes for disease prevention. Their growing usefulness sparked serious discussions about using them in children. By 2026, the World Health Organization plans to create a fair system to make sure those who need GLP-1s most can get them, highlighting a major shift in global health priorities.