ATLANTA — Popular drugs for weight loss are being prescribed to kids as young as 12.
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But nearly two years since the FDA approved the use of GLP-1 drugs in kids, some are questioning if these drugs are safe for teens in the long run.
Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Ashli Lincoln spoke with local parents who said they were aware of the risk, but still decided to put their children on these drugs.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 14 million children and teens are obese, so the demand for these drugs is high.
Doctors said they are seeing significant strides with weight loss in teens but admit more research is needed.
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One local hospital is already conducting studies to see how teens react to these drugs.
“I’ve always like been overweight and I’ve tried workouts and I tried eating healthier and nothing has really worked,” said 15-year-old Malya Jones.
She said life before getting on weight loss drugs was difficult.
“Since I’ve started the medication, it’s really helped me and it’s boosted my energy and my confidence a lot,” said Jones.
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At her heaviest, she weighed 230 pounds and was living with high blood pressure.
“Last time I did go to the doctor, since my A1C was normal I already got off one medication,” said Jones.
“I feel a lot better. I don’t feel as much pain as I did in my knees or my feet,” said 15-year-old Charlotte Kaplan.
She said her struggles with weight were the same.
The once prediabetic teen has since lost significant weight.
“I tried exercise. I tried changing my diet, I joined softball, but it wasn’t making any progress,” said Kaplan.
“My heaviest weight was almost 370 pounds,” said 16-year-old Jeremiah Jiminez of Texas.
“It’s a game changer. It’s going to save, it’s saving lives,” said Jeremiah’s mother Suzie Jiminez.
She said her son has lost more than 100 pounds since starting Wegovy last year.
“He was already prediabetic. He already had a little bit of high cholesterol, a little of high blood pressure. So, either you pay for it now or you’re going to pay for it later,” said Suzie Jiminez.
“I will take this, put it on top of a salad, and that’s going to be a lot healthier than having a bowl of ramen that’s really high in sodium,” said Jeremiah Jiminez.
“I have been fortunate enough to see really the true evolution of these medications,” said Dr. Daniel Hsia, an associate professor and Associate Division Chief of Pediatric Endocrinology with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
He has studied GLP-1 drugs for years.
“We don’t know the decades-long impacts that this going to have,” said Dr. Hsia.
Some medical studies show these drugs can lead to undereating, not getting enough calories for growth, or abuse of these drugs by those with eating disorders.
All three families said this decision to put their teens on GLP-1s didn’t come lightly.
“Seeing her being so depressed about her weight, crying sometimes about her weight,” said Mayla’s mother Marthe Jones.
Because teen’s bodies and brains are still developing, Dr. Hsia said Children’s is currently conducting several studies to see the drug’s impact.
“We’ll be following these kids for up to five years, and we’re gonna follow their growth and development through puberty,” said Dr. Hsia.
In 2022, the FDA opened the door allowing kids 12 years and older to be prescribed semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy.
Semaglutide dispense rates increased by 594% since 2020 in teens and young adults.
“It was a hallelujah moment,” said Dr. Jessica Riley the Medical Director of the Strong for Life Clinic at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
“These medications not only reduce appetite by triggering those appetite satiety centers, right, but also by encouraging the pancreas to produce more insulin,” said Dr. Riley.
Once prescribed, Dr. Riley said they don’t just monitor weight loss, but consider blood pressure reduction, mental health, BMI, and fat tissue decrease.
“The most common reason to take a patient off a GLP-1 medication has to do with side effects,” said Dr. Riley.
Side effects include vomiting, diarrhea and constipation.
But doctors said taking these drugs early could lower the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Parents said the pros outweigh the cons.
“One of the most joyful parts of this experience has been to watch our daughter transform, and not just physically but mentally and emotionally,” said Tori Kaplan, Charlotte’s mother.
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