Do you think your child is a little fatter than other children his age? You may be very concerned about your child's weight. This is a very sensitive topic. Some people think that this is due to boredom or overeating. But in reality, childhood obesity is a much more complex condition with a number of medical causes. So today, we will talk about the new drugs like Wegovy that are being talked about as a solution to this.
Why is childhood obesity so serious?
Many people, sometimes even doctors, initially thought that children were fat because they didn't control their diet and didn't exercise. That is, many people thought that it was okay if they controlled those things with their minds.
But now research has found that it is influenced by many genetic, physiological, socioeconomic, and environmental factors . Simply put, it is not the child's fault or the parents' fault. It is a disease, just like diabetes or high blood pressure.
Many people think that "the fat will go away as children grow up." But now, research has clearly proven that this does not happen. If left untreated, this obesity continues into adulthood.
If left untreated, the consequences are somewhat serious:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Early puberty
- Fatty Liver
- Sleep apnea
- Asthma
- Bone and joint problems
- Psychological problems (depression, low self-esteem)
- Even risk of premature death in adulthood.
So, drugs like Wegovy are now being talked about to control this serious condition.
How does the drug Wegovy (Semaglutide) work?
This is a very interesting story. Our intestines naturally produce a hormone called GLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptide-1) . This hormone is what sends a signal to our brain that we are full, and we don't need to eat anymore. It also controls our cravings for food.
However, this GLP-1 hormone that our body produces is destroyed very quickly. So what we do with semaglutide in Wegovy is that it behaves exactly like the GLP-1 hormone. But there is a big difference. This drug stays in the body for a long time, for days. Therefore, even if you eat a little, you feel full, it is easier to control your food intake, and you feel less hungry.
The drug semaglutide was initially used for diabetes patients under the names Ozempic and Rybelsus. It was later found to be very effective for weight loss and was approved under the name Wegovy.
What are the benefits and risks of giving this medicine to children?
Like any medicine, this one has its pros and cons. A doctor will weigh both sides carefully before deciding to give this medicine to a child.
What are the advantages?
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in December 2022 showed that obese children (age 12+) who received the semaglutide injection once a week for 68 weeks experienced an average 16% reduction in body mass index (BMI). They were also advised to make lifestyle changes (lifestyle counseling).
Not only that,
- Decreased waist size
- Improving cholesterol levels
- Decrease in triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood
It showed very good results. Surprisingly, this research also found that this medicine was more effective in children and young people than in adults.
These results are so good that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that obese children over the age of 12 consider giving the drug semaglutide, along with exercise and nutrition counseling. Among the current options, bariatric surgery (weight loss surgery) is the only treatment that is as effective.
Risks and Side Effects
We also need to be honestly aware of the risks and side effects of this medicine.
| Type of side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Common side effects | Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are common to many medications. They usually subside over time as the body gets used to them. |
| Things to consider | Some patients have been reported to have decreased muscle mass and bone density, so a protein-rich diet and exercise are important. |
| Rare but serious side effects | Very rarely (less than 1%) patients can develop conditions such as gallstones or pancreatitis. Some doctors also say more research is needed to determine whether this has any long-term effects on a child's developing brain. |
The important thing is to compare these risks with the serious health risks of untreated obesity. A doctor does that balancing.
Is this a lifelong medication?
This is a very important question. Studies have shown that adults who lose weight while taking Wegovy regain two-thirds of the weight they lost within a year after stopping the drug.
That means this could be a lifelong medication.
Think about it, someone with diabetes may have to take insulin for the rest of their lives. Someone with high cholesterol will continue to take medications like statins. Obesity is a chronic disease like that. You try to change the body's biology with a drug, and when you stop taking that drug, the body starts working the way it wants to, which is, according to its old habits.
Stigma about obesity is a major obstacle
This is perhaps the worst problem, even worse than the side effects of the medication. The wrong way society views obesity. The thinking that "this is not a disease, it's laziness."
Because of these wrong attitudes,
- Children and parents are afraid and embarrassed to go to see a doctor. They think, "The doctor will scold me and tell me what's wrong."
- Some people think that before giving this kind of medication, the child should "prove" by losing weight "through their own efforts."
Imagine, would we say that to someone with diabetes? We wouldn't say, "You have to stop eating sweets first and then we'll give you medicine." That's medically incorrect. Obesity is also a disease that needs to be treated.
This medicine is not magic. It is like leveling the playing field. That is, it creates an easy and convenient environment for the child to adopt a healthy lifestyle (good food, exercise). Just taking the medicine and eating whatever you want is not enough.
When you talk to your doctor, he or she will focus on your child's overall health, not just weight. He or she will help you understand that obesity is not a "moral weakness" but a complex, chronic disease. Wegovy is just one tool to help treat that disease.
Take-Home Message
- Childhood obesity is not the fault of the child or the parents. It is a complex, chronic disease that is caused by a number of genetic, physiological, and environmental factors.
- Medications like Wegovy (Semaglutide) help with weight loss by sending signals to the brain to control eating and reducing appetite.
- Although this medication has side effects such as nausea and vomiting, they are often less severe than the serious risks of diabetes and high blood pressure caused by untreated obesity.
- This is not magic. This is a treatment that should go hand in hand with good nutrition and exercise .
- Before making any decisions, talk to your doctor about this openly and honestly. Only a doctor can determine the best treatment option for your child.
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