A new study from Sweden offers hope to children struggling with severe obesity and their families. Researchers have found that a type of medication called liraglutide, when combined with healthy lifestyle changes, can help young people lose weight and improve daily life at home. The medication also seems to reduce mealtime stress and food-related arguments.
This research took place at the National Childhood Obesity Centre in Stockholm. It included over 1,000 children under the age of 16. All of them were living with severe obesity and receiving support through an intensive weight-loss program. In 2023, about one in four children in the program were given liraglutide injections along with coaching on food, exercise, and habits. Liraglutide is part of a group of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which help lower appetite.
Real-World Success for GLP-1 Drugs
The results were encouraging. Nearly one-third of the children who received liraglutide achieved noticeable weight loss. That is a higher success rate than children who went through the program without the medicine. The findings suggest that liraglutide can be a helpful tool in managing childhood obesity, especially when combined with a strong support system at home and in clinics.
Dr Annika Janson, who led the study, works at Karolinska University Hospital. She said that GLP-1 drugs like liraglutide make it easier for children to stick with healthier habits. These drugs help reduce hunger and make portion control feel more natural. Many families told researchers that their children argued less at mealtimes and had fewer emotional outbursts about food. Some parents noticed that their children were not constantly asking for snacks or large meals for the first time in their lives.
“For some children, not being hungry all the time is a completely new feeling,” said Dr Janson. That change can have a major impact on their ability to stay on track with their health goals.
New Medication Brings More Hope
Starting in 2024, the obesity center in Stockholm began using a newer drug called semaglutide, also known by its brand name Wegovy. Like liraglutide, semaglutide is a GLP-1 agonist that helps people feel full longer. Though the results from semaglutide in children are not yet available, early signs from adult studies suggest it may be even more effective than liraglutide.
In clinical trials with adults, semaglutide led to significant weight loss. Experts hope that the same benefits will be seen in young people, especially those who have tried many other approaches without success.
Longer Use Could Mean Better Results
In the Swedish program, most children did not begin taking liraglutide until six to twelve months after starting their treatment plan. Dr Janson believes that if the medication had been used earlier or for longer periods, the results could be even better. She hopes to continue studying the long-term effects of these medications on weight, mental health, and overall well-being.
More Children Should Get Access
Currently, medications like liraglutide and semaglutide are mostly used to treat adults with obesity. In the United Kingdom, the National Health Service (NHS) offers the medication to some adults, but very few children have access to it. In some special cases, paediatric clinics may prescribe it to younger patients, but it is not yet widely available.
Dr Janson wants that to change. “More children should benefit from these treatments,” she said. She also noted that not every child will respond to the drug the same way, but many could see life-changing benefits.
NHS Adds Smart Tools for Healthy Habits
In another effort to fight childhood obesity, NHS England has begun using “smart scales” in some of its paediatric clinics. These high-tech devices are designed to make weight tracking less stressful for children. The scales do not show the child’s weight directly. Instead, the data is sent to doctors and used in an app that gives gentle feedback.
This approach aims to take the pressure off children while still helping families build better habits. It also helps healthcare workers monitor progress without making weight a constant topic of conversation.
Professor Simon Kenny, a senior leader at NHS England, praised the tool. He said it allows clinics to support children even when they are not physically present. Families get help and advice in real time, which can make it easier to stay on track.
Experts Welcome the Approach
Tam Fry of the National Obesity Forum supports the use of both medication and smart tools. He said that many parents feel lost when trying to understand weight and body mass index (BMI). With the right mix of medical support and behavioural help, families can feel more confident and less stressed.
Fry also pushed back against critics who claim these programs are too controlling or “nanny state” in nature. He said families often welcome help when it is delivered with care and respect.
The Swedish study and the NHS tools point to a future where childhood obesity is treated with compassion and science. By combining medicines that help manage hunger with smart behaviour tools, more children can succeed in becoming healthier and happier.
Families who face daily struggles with obesity now have more hope. With the right support, children can feel better, fight fewer battles at the dinner table, and enjoy a future with more energy and fewer health problems.