Research carried out by Dr. Aaron Kelly, co-director of the Center for Pediatric Obesity Medicine at the University of Minnesota, found that almost 50% of children who received the "skinny jab" lost enough weight to no longer be classified as clinically obese. The study focused on 201 teenagers who were classified as clinically obese.
A group of 134 kids aged 12 to 18 got advice on healthy living and also received a weekly dose of 2.4mg of semaglutide for 68 weeks. Another group of 67 kids got a placebo during the same time frame.
Semaglutide is a drug that is commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes by reducing hunger. However, it can also be utilized for extended periods to help with weight management. It may be available under the name Ozempic.
Research presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Dublin discovered that more adolescents who were given semaglutide were able to lose weight to the extent where they were no longer considered clinically obese compared to those who were given a placebo, as reported by The Guardian.
Around 45% of the adolescents taking semaglutide were able to drop below the clinical definition for obesity, while only 12% of those taking the placebo lost enough weight to no longer be considered clinically obese.
By the end of the study, almost 74% of the adolescents who were given semaglutide had an improvement of at least one BMI category, whereas only 19% of those taking the placebo had the same result.
The report stated that giving semaglutide once a week showed remarkable results that had never been seen before and resulted in significant enhancements in clinical outcomes.
It also found that semaglutide was highly effective in treating obesity in teenagers. Almost half of the participants reached a weight below the clinical obesity threshold, which was an unprecedented result compared to other treatments, except for bariatric surgery.
The medication gained approval from famous people and became popular on the social media platform TikTok. Additionally, the UK's drug experts have suggested using it in adults with a body mass index greater than 35 and experiencing weight-related issues such as high blood pressure.
Read also: Children of Overprotective Mothers At Risk of Obesity: Study
Addressing Obesity in Children
The report also highlighted the importance of addressing obesity in children and teenagers, as it can lead to various health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. The study emphasized the need for early intervention and prevention strategies, such as promoting healthy eating and physical activity in schools and communities.
Furthermore, the report called for more research to be conducted on semaglutide and other potential treatments for obesity in children and teenagers. It emphasized the importance of long-term studies to assess the safety and efficacy of these treatments and the need for personalized approaches to obesity treatment based on individual factors such as genetics and lifestyle.
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