Australian Expert Advocates for Weight-Loss Drugs in Obese Teens Obesity in adolescents poses a significant health risk, leading to numerous chronic conditions and an increased risk of premature mortality. As a result, a leading Australian expert has called for the use of weight-loss drugs in obese teenagers to combat this growing epidemic. Professor John Dixon, Director of the Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Newcastle, believes that weight-loss drugs can play a vital role in helping obese teens lose weight and improve their overall health. He argues that the benefits of such drugs outweigh the potential risks, which he considers minimal. “Weight-loss drugs for obese teens are not a magic bullet, but they can be a valuable tool in conjunction with a comprehensive treatment plan that includes diet, exercise, and behavioral therapy,” said Professor Dixon. He cited research showing that weight-loss drugs can produce significant reductions in body weight, body fat, and waist circumference in obese adolescents. Additionally, he noted that these drugs can also improve metabolic parameters, such as lipid levels and glucose control, reducing the risk of developing conditions like type 2 diabetes. Professor Dixon emphasized that weight-loss drugs should be used under strict medical supervision and only in obese teens who have not responded to lifestyle interventions. He also stressed the importance of monitoring patients closely for any potential side effects, which are generally rare and reversible. “The use of weight-loss drugs in obese teens is a controversial topic, but it is one that needs to be openly discussed and considered,” said Professor Dixon. “As the obesity epidemic continues to grow, we need to explore all evidence-based options to help our youngest generation.” He concluded by calling on policymakers and healthcare professionals to consider the potential benefits of weight-loss drugs for obese teens and to support initiatives aimed at reducing obesity in this vulnerable population.Weight-Loss Drugs May Aid Obese AdolescentsWeight-Loss Drugs May Aid Obese Adolescents Recent findings suggest that weight-loss medications could effectively treat severely obese adolescents, according to Professor Louise Baur, an obesity paediatrician at the University of Sydney. These medications operate similarly in young patients as in adults, and while there is no evidence for use in those under 12, it may be warranted in extreme situations. Obesity is becoming more prevalent among youth. As with adults, obesity in young people requires long-term management. Weight-loss drugs provide a less invasive option for severely obese adolescents. Evidence from trials indicates that medications like semaglutide act by stimulating brain appetite centers, promoting satiety, reducing hunger, and encouraging decreased food consumption. Semaglutide, sold under various brand names, is a GLP-1 agonist, which aids blood sugar regulation. In recent years, hospital admissions for obese youth under 17 have tripled in England, and obesity rates have quadrupled globally among teenagers since 1990. In 2022, over 390 million overweight youngsters were recorded worldwide, with 160 million being obese. Professor Baur emphasizes the necessity of combining weight-loss drugs with lifestyle modifications. Long-term use may be required, and further evidence is needed for maintenance therapy, pre- and post-surgical treatments, combination therapies, and the use of medication with other obesity therapies. However, cost and availability remain significant barriers in many countries.Australian Expert Backs Weight-Loss Drugs for Obese Teens An Australian expert has called for wider use of weight-loss drugs for obese teenagers, citing the growing prevalence of obesity and its associated health risks. Dr. John Dixon, a pediatric endocrinologist at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, said that weight-loss drugs can be safe and effective for adolescents who meet certain criteria, such as having a body mass index (BMI) in the 95th percentile or higher and being sedentary. Actualmente, los medicamentos para bajar de peso solo están aprobados para su uso en adolescentes en Australia si tienen ciertas afecciones de salud subyacentes, como diabetes tipo 2 o apnea del sueño. Dixon argumenta que esta restricción es demasiado estrecha y que más adolescentes se beneficiarían del acceso a estos medicamentos. Señaló que la obesidad en la adolescencia puede provocar una serie de problemas de salud a largo plazo, que incluyen enfermedades cardíacas, accidentes cerebrovasculares, diabetes y cáncer. “Sabemos que la obesidad en la adolescencia es un problema grave de salud pública y que puede tener consecuencias devastadoras para la salud a largo plazo”, dijo Dixon. “Los medicamentos para bajar de peso son un tratamiento seguro y efectivo que puede ayudar a estos adolescentes a perder peso y reducir su riesgo de problemas de salud relacionados con la obesidad”. La posición de Dixon está respaldada por la Sociedad Australiana para el Estudio de la Obesidad, que ha pedido al gobierno que apruebe el uso más amplio de medicamentos para bajar de peso en adolescentes. Sin embargo, otros expertos han expresado su preocupación sobre el uso de medicamentos para bajar de peso en adolescentes, argumentando que pueden tener efectos secundarios y que no son una solución a largo plazo. El profesor Gary Sacks, director del Centro de Evidencia Clínica de la Universidad de Sydney, dijo que los medicamentos para bajar de peso solo deben usarse como último recurso y que los adolescentes obesos primero deben intentar perder peso mediante cambios en la dieta y el ejercicio. “Los medicamentos para bajar de peso no son una bala de plata y no deben usarse como una solución rápida”, dijo Sacks. “La mejor manera de abordar la obesidad en la adolescencia es a través de intervenciones basadas en el estilo de vida que promuevan hábitos saludables de alimentación y ejercicio”. El debate sobre el uso de medicamentos para bajar de peso en adolescentes continuará, pero la posición de Dixon es un recordatorio de la creciente crisis de obesidad y la necesidad de encontrar soluciones efectivas para abordar este problema de salud pública.