GLP-1 medications are coming up more often in pediatric care – and for many parents, that brings a lot of questions.

Are they safe?
When are they used?
How do they affect growth, nutrition, and a child’s relationship with food?

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If your child lives in a larger body, concerns about hunger, snacking, or overeating can feel overwhelming. Before focusing on food rules or restriction, it helps to zoom out and look at the bigger picture.

I take a non-diet, whole-child approach to weight and wellness. You can see that full framework here: How to Help an Overweight Child (Without Dieting).

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In this episode of The Nourished Child Podcast, I spoke with pediatrician Dr. Chrissie Ott to explore GLP-1 medications for children and teens through a compassionate, science-informed lens. This is not a conversation about promoting or rejecting medication – it’s about understanding when and how it may fit into care, while always protecting a child’s emotional and physical well-being.

What GLP-1 Medications Actually Do

GLP-1 medications work by mimicking a hormone produced in the gut that helps regulate appetite.

This hormone:

• Slows stomach emptying, increasing fullness
• Influences brain pathways involved in hunger and food-seeking

For some children, these pathways are far more active than for others. Appetite regulation isn’t just about willpower – it’s deeply influenced by biology.

Parents often notice this difference firsthand when siblings raised in the same home have very different hunger cues and eating patterns.

Why Lifestyle Changes Aren’t Always Enough

Many families are told that body size comes down to “eat less and move more.” This message is still common – and still harmful.

Dr. Ott explains that children’s bodies are shaped by:

• Genetics
• Hormonal signaling
• Metabolism
• Emotional health
• Environment

Nutrition, movement, and emotional support matter for every child. But for some children, lifestyle strategies alone may be inadequate to counteract powerful biological drivers of hunger and weight gain.

That’s not a failure. It’s information.

Honoring Body Diversity While Addressing Health

This conversation holds two important truths at once:

All bodies are good bodies.
Some patterns of fat accumulation can increase health risks.

Not every child in a larger body experiences metabolic issues, and not every child with metabolic challenges appears larger. Where fat is stored, especially around organs, plays a major role in health outcomes.

This is why weight alone is an incomplete measure, and why individualized care matters so much.

When GLP-1 Medications May Be Considered

GLP-1 medications are not a first-line approach and are not appropriate for most children.

They may be considered when:

• A child has had a persistently high BMI over time
• Lifestyle interventions haven’t been sufficient
• There are physical or emotional health concerns
• The child understands and agrees to treatment

Dr. Ott emphasizes child assent. Children deserve to be involved in decisions about their bodies, especially when treatment may affect appetite, eating, and social experiences.

For some kids, reducing constant hunger or “food noise” can bring real relief – physically and emotionally.

When These Medications Are Not Appropriate

GLP-1 medications are not recommended for:

• Children with a family history of certain thyroid cancers
• Children with a history of pancreatitis
• Children seeking small or cosmetic body changes
• Children at high risk for restrictive eating disorders

These medications are not meant for body “optimization” or weight refinement.

Supporting Nutrition, Growth, and Development

A common concern for parents is whether appetite suppression could interfere with growth or nutrient intake.

This is where careful monitoring matters.

Key supports include:

• Prioritizing protein and fiber
• Choosing nutrient-dense foods
• Protecting lean muscle mass
• Watching closely for under-fueling
• Adjusting dosage if appetite becomes too suppressed

The goal is regulated appetite, not deprivation. Medical starvation is never the goal.

What We’re Still Learning

There are real unknowns, and it’s important to name them.

We don’t yet have:

• Long-term data for lifelong use in children
• Clear guidelines for stopping medication
• Full understanding of outcomes years down the road

At the same time, research suggests that earlier intervention – before puberty – may positively influence long-term body composition and metabolic health for some children.

This is part of the careful, ongoing conversation families and providers are navigating together.

Reducing Weight Bias and Diet Culture Harm

Dr. Ott approaches care with body respect at the center.

Caring for a body may look different at different times:

• Feeding
• Moving
• Resting
• Using medication

Health goals don’t require rejecting the body your child is in. Weight loss does not determine worth – before or after treatment.

Children need support that protects them from stigma while still addressing real health needs.

What Parents Should Take Away

You do not have to choose between helping your child’s health and protecting their emotional well-being. You can do both.

GLP-1 medications are not right for every child. But for some families, they can be one supportive tool – when used thoughtfully, ethically, and with full attention to a child’s whole experience.

If this is something you’re considering, you deserve nuanced information, compassionate care, and a team that sees your child as more than a number on a growth chart.

If this conversation was helpful, I invite you to listen to the full podcast episode and share it with another parent or provider who may need it.

Resources:

• For a complete, non-diet roadmap that supports both physical and emotional wellbeing, see How to Help an Overweight Child (Without Dieting).
• To get started on addressing the essential habits for healthy living in children, check out the Kids Thrive at Every Size book.
• Dr. Chrissie Ott: https://chrissieottmd.com/
• On Instagram: @chrissieottmd