GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Linked to Nutritional Deficiencies in Nearly 1 in 6 Children

A study published in September 2026 found that approximately 17 percent of children aged 10 to 17 who used GLP-1 weight loss medications developed a nutritional deficiency or related complication within one year of starting treatment.

The most common issues identified were vitamin D deficiency, nutritional anemia, and iron-deficiency anemia. Researchers said the findings highlight a significant risk that has received less attention than the gastrointestinal side effects more commonly associated with drugs like Wegovy and Saxenda.

GLP-1 receptor agonists work partly by suppressing appetite, which can lead children to eat less and, in some cases, not consume enough essential nutrients. Pediatricians say this makes regular nutritional monitoring critical for young patients on these medications.

The FDA has approved specific GLP-1 medications for weight management in adolescents aged 12 and older. Despite this, some physicians have prescribed them off-label to younger children, raising additional concerns given the lack of long-term data on how these drugs affect growth, bone development, and puberty.

Experts also warned that GLP-1 drugs may trigger or worsen eating disorders in vulnerable youth. Pediatricians are advised to screen for signs of disordered eating, such as skipping meals, rigid mealtimes, or excessive exercise, before and during treatment.

The World Health Organization has stated it does not recommend pharmacological treatment for obesity in children under 10 due to insufficient evidence on long-term developmental impacts. Most pediatric specialists continue to recommend intensive lifestyle counseling as the primary approach, with GLP-1 medications considered only for children with severe complications who have not responded to behavioral interventions.