A study published in the journal Childhood Obesity reveals that nearly one in six children (16.8%) prescribed GLP-1 medications for weight loss, prediabetes, or type 2 diabetes experience nutritional deficiencies within the first year. The most common deficiency identified was vitamin D, affecting 12.4% of the children within that timeframe.
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Justin Ryder, PhD, Vice Chair of Research at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and Associate Professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, emphasized the importance of understanding risks associated with GLP-1 usage during crucial growth periods in adolescence. He noted that nutrients such as vitamin D, iron, and calcium are particularly vital during this stage, as deficiencies could have long-term effects on skeletal health and overall development.
Ryder pointed out that nutritional support is crucial when initiating GLP-1 treatment. However, the study found that only 5% of patients received nutritional counseling within 30 days of starting treatment, and fewer than 25% were counseled within six months.
Using national administrative claims data from 2017 to 2022, the researchers identified 2,031 GLP-1 users aged 10 to 17 who had been continuously enrolled and had no prior nutritional deficiency diagnoses. Liraglutide was the most commonly prescribed GLP-1 (78.6%), followed by dulaglutide (10.4%) and semaglutide (9.1%).
Ryder hopes the findings will highlight the need for proactive nutritional management in children receiving GLP-1 prescriptions, rather than waiting for a deficiency to be diagnosed. This awareness is key to preventing potential health issues for children treated with GLP-1 during such a critical phase of their development.