ESPE Abstracts

Introduction: The increasing prevalence of pediatric obesity has led to a significant rise in the prescription of weight management medications. Between 2020 and 2035, the projected number of young people with overweight and obesity is expected to be 770 million, representing 39% of the global population, according to the World Obesity Atlas 2024. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, initially used for type 2 diabetes management, have shown promise in addressing obesity. This study evaluates the impact of GLP-1 treatment on BMI, body fat, and obesity degree in pediatric patients with obesity.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective case series study was conducted between 2022 and 2023, involving eight pediatric patients with obesity. The cohort had a mean age of 14.62 ± 2.1 years and a male-to-female ratio of 2:6. Baseline characteristics included a mean weight of 90.71 ± 12.60 kg, mean height of 162.3 ± 11.8 cm (72 ± 20.98th percentile), and a mean BMI of 34.575 ± 4.87 kg/m², corresponding to an obesity degree of 166.8 ± 20. Body composition was assessed using bioimpedance analysis (InBody770), which revealed a body fat percentage of 43.6 ± 9.55 and a skeletal muscle mass of 28.9 ± 9.5 kg. Patients attended an average of eight consultations over three months, during which GLP-1 treatment was administered.

Results: The treatment with GLP-1 resulted in a significant reduction in BMI, obesity degree, and body fat percentage. The mean BMI reduction was -1.08 ± 1.38 kg/m². The obesity degree saw a mean reduction of -4.85 ± 4.74. Additionally, the percentage of body fat decreased by -0.37 ± 0.89. These findings suggest that GLP-1 treatment can effectively reduce BMI and body fat in pediatric patients with obesity.

Conclusion: GLP-1 agonists appear to be a promising therapeutic option for managing pediatric obesity, demonstrating substantial reductions in BMI, obesity degree, and body fat percentage within a short treatment duration. These results support the continued exploration and use of GLP-1 treatments in pediatric weight management protocols, potentially improving long-term health outcomes for children with obesity. Further research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods is needed to confirm these findings and optimize treatment strategies.