Youth Prescriptions for Weight Loss and Diabetes Drugs Surge Nearly 600%

New research highlights dramatic increase in GLP-1 agonist use among young people, raising questions about long-term safety and accessibility.

Study reveals a significant rise in prescriptions for GLP-1 agonists like Wegovy and Ozempic among individuals aged 12 to 25 from 2020 to 2023.
Young women and adolescent girls show the highest increase in prescriptions.
Experts emphasize the importance of safe and appropriate prescribing practices for these medications.
Obesity and type 2 diabetes rates among young people have been climbing, prompting more aggressive treatment approaches.
Concerns include the high cost and limited insurance coverage for these medications, as well as potential side effects.