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One recent development in the field of pediatric obesity treatment is the significant increase in weight loss drug prescriptions among children and teenagers following the release of updated guidelines by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2023. According to a forthcoming study to be published in the AAP journal Pediatrics Open Science, researchers analyzed electronic health records of over 310,000 patients aged 8 to 17. The study revealed a 65% immediate surge in medication prescriptions, particularly for GLP-1s, with a steady 5% monthly increase thereafter. In contrast, rates for nutrition counseling saw only minimal upticks in comparison.
This shift in treatment strategies highlights the growing reliance on pharmacological interventions for managing obesity in pediatric populations. It also underscores the need for a comprehensive approach that incorporates both medication and lifestyle modifications to effectively address the complex issue of childhood obesity.
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