GLP-1 Medications in Children Linked to Nutritional Deficiencies

Children prescribed GLP-1 medications for weight loss, prediabetes, or type 2 diabetes may face a significant nutritional risk. A study published in Childhood Obesity identified that almost 17% of young patients (16.8%) were diagnosed with a nutritional deficiency within their first year of treatment.

Vitamin D deficiency was the most common issue, identified in 12.4% of children after starting GLP-1 therapy.

Justin Ryder, PhD, senior author and Associate Professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, noted the importance of understanding these risks, especially during crucial periods of childhood growth and puberty. He highlighted that nutrients like vitamin D, iron, and calcium are critical for adolescent skeletal health and overall development, and deficiencies at this stage can have lasting effects.

Adolescence demands substantial nutrition for bone development, physical maturation, and other biological changes. Since GLP-1 medications can influence appetite and food intake, researchers emphasize that nutritional attention is particularly vital for younger patients using these drugs.

Ryder stated that nutritional support should be integral from the start of GLP-1 treatment. However, the study found that only 5% of patients received nutritional counseling within 30 days of starting the medication, and fewer than 25% received it within six months.

The research team analyzed national administrative claims data from 2017 to 2022, covering over 100 million patients.

They identified 2,031 GLP-1 users aged 10 to 17 who met continuous enrollment criteria and had no prior diagnosis of nutritional deficiency.

Among these children, liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda) was the most frequently prescribed GLP-1, making up 78.6% of prescriptions. Dulaglutide (Trulicity) accounted for 10.4%, and semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) for 9.1%.

These findings suggest that nutritional care should begin concurrently with GLP-1 treatment, not just after a deficiency is detected.

Ryder expressed hope that the study will raise awareness about the necessity of proactive nutritional management when prescribing GLP-1s to children. He believes that understanding these risks better positions healthcare providers to prevent potential harm during this critical life stage.