A recent study has found that liraglutide, a drug approved for obesity treatment in adults and teens, is safe and effective for children as young as six when combined with diet and exercise.
The research, presented at a medical conference and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed that liraglutide reduced body mass and slowed weight gain in children aged 6 to 11.
Based on these findings, its maker, Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO), which also developed the weight-loss best seller Wegovy, has requested US regulators approve the drug for this younger age group.
If given the green light, liraglutide would be the first drug authorised to treat the most common form of obesity in children, which affects over 20% of US children aged 6 to 11.
The study, which involved 82 participants, found that those taking liraglutide reduced their body mass index (BMI) by 5.8%, compared to a 1.6% increase in the placebo group.
Side effects, mainly gastrointestinal issues, were common. Experts emphasise that while the drug shows promise, risks and long-term effects must be carefully considered. The trial continues, with more results expected by 2027.