What's happened
Recent data shows a 50% increase in prescriptions for Wegovy among U.S. teens in 2024, reaching 14.8 per 100,000 adolescents. Despite this rise, access remains limited, with many teens still lacking treatment options for obesity. Concerns about long-term safety and insurance coverage persist.
What's behind the headline?
Current Trends in Teen Obesity Treatment
- Prescription Increase: The average rate of Wegovy prescriptions for teens rose from 9.9 to 14.8 per 100,000 from 2023 to 2024, with early 2025 data showing further growth to 17.3.
- Obesity Epidemic: Approximately 23% of U.S. teens are classified as obese, highlighting the urgent need for effective treatments.
- Insurance Challenges: Many insurance plans do not cover obesity treatments, limiting access to medications like Wegovy.
- Medical Community Hesitance: Some healthcare providers express caution regarding the long-term safety of GLP-1 medications for adolescents, emphasizing the need for more research.
- Potential Outcomes: As awareness grows, there may be increased advocacy for insurance coverage and further research into the long-term effects of these medications on young patients.
What the papers say
According to The Independent, the rise in Wegovy prescriptions among teens is promising but still represents a small fraction of those needing treatment. Dr. Cate Varney noted, "It's promising that more young people are using these medications, but it’s still a very small percentage of patients with severe obesity that are getting access to them." Meanwhile, the NY Post highlighted the FDA's crackdown on compounded versions of GLP-1 drugs, which could lead to increased costs for patients who relied on these alternatives. Sean Spicer remarked, "Patients who today can get the drug compounded for $350 a month will have no option but to pay $1,000 a month for Mounjaro or Zepbound." This illustrates the ongoing challenges in accessing affordable obesity treatments.
How we got here
Wegovy was approved for adolescents in late 2022, following decades of ineffective conventional obesity treatments. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended weight-loss drugs for children starting at age 12, but adoption has been slow due to safety concerns and insurance barriers.
Go deeper
- What are the long-term effects of Wegovy on adolescents?
- How are insurance companies responding to obesity treatments?
- What alternatives exist for teens struggling with obesity?
Common question
-
Why Are Teen Prescription Rates for Wegovy Increasing?
The rise in prescriptions for Wegovy among U.S. teens has sparked significant interest and concern. With a reported 50% increase in 2024, many are questioning the implications for adolescent health and the accessibility of obesity treatments. This page explores the reasons behind this trend and the potential consequences for young patients.
More on these topics
-
The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
-
Novo Nordisk A/S is a Danish multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Bagsværd, with production facilities in nine countries and affiliates or offices in five. Novo Nordisk is controlled by majority shareholder Novo Holdings A/S (wholly owne
-
Eli Lilly and Company is an American pharmaceutical company headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, with offices in 18 countries. Its products are sold in approximately 125 countries. The company was founded in 1876 by, and named after, Col. Eli Lilly, a