Researchers reveal rapid growth in weight loss drug use among young people

27 May 2024 --- A US study reveals a 594% increase from 2020 to 2023 in the monthly number of adolescents and young adults using glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist medications, such as Wegovy and Ozempic. The use grew fastest among female youth.

GLP-1 use increased by 588% among female adolescents (aged 12–17) and 504% among male adolescents. In young adults (aged 18–25), the number of female users of the medications increased by 659%, compared to 481% for male young adults. 

The researchers note that national data on dispensing patterns in the US for the increasingly popular weight loss drugs are “surprisingly scarce.” 

“This is the first study to document national trends in GLP-1 receptor agonists dispensing in any population, including youth,” says Joyce Lee, MD, MPH, the lead author of the paper, a pediatric endocrinologist and professor of pediatrics at the Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Center, University of Michigan Medical School, US. 

GLP-1 drugs were approved for type 2 diabetes in 2005 and for weight management in 2014. In 2021, semaglutide was approved for weight management in adults under the brand Wegovy, which was approved for weight management in adolescents at the end of 2022. 

Safe use 
The researchers used 2020–2023 data from a national database representing 92% of pharmacies for the research letter published in JAMA. 

Although Ozempic is not approved in children for type 2 diabetes or weight management, the study found that dispensing the medication increased in youth. 

“This finding suggests increasing off-label use of Ozempic for weight management in adolescents and young adults,” comments the study’s senior author, Kao-Ping Chua, MD, a member of the CHEAR Center. 

Endocrinologists, family medicine physicians and nurse practitioners were among the top prescribers of the medications for young people. The researchers note this suggests that these clinicians should be the focus of efforts to ensure safe and appropriate prescribing. 

Although Ozempic is not approved in children, the study found that dispensing the medication increased in youth.As the most significant usage increase occurred in young women, the research team underscores the need for clinicians to educate female patients about the potential safety risks of these medications during pregnancy. 

GLP-1 medications are meant to be taken over the long term. However, Lee highlights concerns about the product cost of GLP-1 and the unknown effects of these products on the growth and development of youth.

“The increasing use of GLP-1 receptor agonists highlights the importance of understanding the long-term safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness of GLP-1 receptor agonists in adolescents and young adults,” she details.

Complementing weight loss drugs 
As the popularity of GLP-1 weight loss medication continues to grow, food and nutrition companies are developing products to leverage this increasing demand. For example, Danone and Nestlé highlight the complementarity of their high-protein products to maintain muscle mass and their portfolio of foods and supplements to support micronutrient requirements. 

Last week, Nestlé unveiled a range of high-protein portion-aligned foods to complement the diet of weight loss medication users. 

Meanwhile, Herbalife launched a range of food and supplement product combinations to boost the nutritional needs of people using GLP-1 medications. Also, digital healthcare company Noom added a Muscle Defense module in its GLP-1 Companion product to help users navigate muscle mass loss. 

At the same time, nutrition companies are also challenging the use of these medications, highlighting that their high costs prevent people from taking the products long-term. Instead, they recommend natural products and supplements to support sustainable weight loss. 

For example, research on Eriomin, a patented citrus-based supplement by Ingredients by Nature, indicates that the product helps boost GLP-1 blood levels and thus supports its potential in prediabetes. 

By Jolanda van Hal