Weight Loss Medicine for Younger Children Ages 6 to 12 With Obesity Shows Promising Results in Trial

childhood obesity child obesity weight loss

By Danielle Ong , Parent Herald Sep 12, 07:44 am

Photo: (Photo : STEPHEN SHAVER/AFP via Getty Images)

A weight loss medication developed by Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk has shown promising results in helping younger children with obesity reduce their body mass index (BMI).

Novo Nordisk finished its 56-week late-stage trial of Saxenda, a GLP-1 medicine designed to help children with obesity lose weight. The study enrolled 82 participants ages 6 to 11 who had a high BMI. For perspective, the average 10-year-old child who participated in the study weighed about 155 pounds, according to CNN.

As part of the trial, the researchers gave a daily dose of Saxenda to 56 participants while the other children received a placebo. All participants were also given diet counseling and moderate to high-intensity exercise for at least one hour each day.

What Were the Results?

The study found significantly different results between the two groups. In a year, children with obesity who received the Saxenda shots saw their BMI drop by 5.8% on average. In comparison, those who received a placebo saw their BMI increase by 1.6%.

Additionally, the trial found that children who received the medication lost weight by 7.4% more than those who received a placebo.

Moreover, the blood pressure and blood sugar levels of children who received the medication improved over the 56-week trial period.

Were There Potential Side Effects?

That being said, there were side effects reported. The researchers noted that children who stopped taking the weight loss medication saw their BMI start rising again. However, the increase was not significant.

Children who were given Saxenda also had higher rates of gastrointestinal issues, including nausea and vomiting. Stomach problems like diarrhea also appeared early in the study. At least 12% of kids who got the medicine experienced a serious adverse event while 11% discontinued treatment due to the side effects.

The trial's results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The researchers are expected to present their findings at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Madrid.

Saxenda is currently approved by the FDA for people aged 12 and older. Novo Nordisk is planning to seek FDA approval for Saxenda use in younger children, per the Financial Times.