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Review
. 2025 Jan;102(1):51-61.
doi: 10.1111/cen.15133. Epub 2024 Sep 11.

Anti-Obesity Medication in the Management of Children and Adolescents With Obesity: Recent Developments and Research Gaps

Gabriel Torbahn  1   2   3 , Julia Lischka  2   3 , Tamara Brown  4 , Louisa J Ells  4 , Aaron S Kelly  5 , Martin Wabitsch  6 , Daniel Weghuber  2   3
Affiliations
Review

Anti-Obesity Medication in the Management of Children and Adolescents With Obesity: Recent Developments and Research Gaps

Gabriel Torbahn et al. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2025 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Paediatric obesity is a global public health concern. While in most countries the incidence keeps rising, the need for effective and long-term management for children and adolescents living with this chronic, relapsing disease is pressing. Health behaviour and lifestyle treatment (HBLT) is recommended as first-line treatment.

Methods: Narrative review.

Results: A new generation of recently approved anti-obesity medications (AOM) now has the potential to fill the gap between limited effects on body mass index (BMI) by HBLT alone and large effects by metabolic and bariatric surgery in adolescents with obesity aged 12 years and older. While, for semaglutide and phentermine/topiramate, effectiveness is substantial with relevant, but mostly mild to moderate adverse events, there is a gap in evidence regarding long-term effects and safety, effects on outcomes beyond BMI reduction and data for certain groups of patients, such as children < 12 years and minority groups. When integrating AOM treatment into national healthcare systems it should be offered as part of a comprehensive patient-centred approach.

Conclusion: This article summarizes recent AOM developments, integration into paediatric obesity management, and identifies research gaps.

Keywords: adolescent; anti‐obesity agents; child; obesity; obesity management; paediatric obesity; review.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Eras of Anti‐obesity medications available for chronic weight management in children and adolescents (from Torbahn et al. [57]).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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