Anti-Obesity Medication in the Management of Children and Adolescents With Obesity: Recent Developments and Research Gaps

Background:Paediatric obesity is a global public health concern. While in most countries the incidence keeps rising, the needfor effective and long-term management for children and adolescents living with this chronic, relapsing disease is pressing.Health behaviour and lifestyle treatment (HBLT) is recommended as first-line treatment.Methods:Narrative review.Results:A new generation of recently approved anti-obesity medications (AOM) now has the potential to fill the gap betweenlimited effects on body mass index (BMI) by HBLT alone and large effects by metabolic and bariatric surgery in adolescents withobesity aged 12 years and older. While, for semaglutide and phentermine/topiramate, effectiveness is substantial with relevant,but mostly mild to moderate adverse events, there is a gap in evidence regarding long-term effects and safety, effects onoutcomes beyond BMI reduction and data for certain groups of patients, such as children < 12 years and minority groups. Whenintegrating AOM treatment into national healthcare systems it should be offered as part of a comprehensive patient-centredapproach.Conclusion:This article summarizes recent AOM developments, integration into paediatric obesity management, and iden-tifies research gaps.