A new Canadian guideline recommends that, in addition to diet and exercise, doctors consider prescribing popular weight-loss drugs, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy, to children starting at age 12, or bariatric surgery for teens 13 and older. This marks a shift from the traditional wait-and-see approach, which often delayed more aggressive treatments until less invasive options failed. While emerging data suggests these medications can lead to significant health improvements, concerns remain about their long-term effects on growth, development, and potential overuse in children.
