Adolescents using GLP-1 agonists face risk of nutritional deficiencies

Adolescents prescribed GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight management face a notable risk of nutritional deficiencies during treatment, according to a study published recently in the international journal Childhood Obesity.

They identified 2,031 pediatric patients aged 10 to 17 who received GLP-1 prescriptions. Individuals diagnosed with nutritional deficiencies prior to the study were excluded to track new-onset conditions.

Within one year of starting the medication, 16.8% of the young patients received a new diagnosis of nutritional deficiency, marking a rate of roughly one in six. Vitamin D deficiency was the most common, appearing in 12.4% of the cohort. Nutritional anemia was diagnosed in 1.55% of patients, and iron-deficiency anemia occurred in 1.44%.

Medication Breakdown and Treatment Mechanisms

Liraglutide was the most frequently prescribed drug among the study group, accounting for 78.6% of prescriptions. Dulaglutide followed at 10.4%, and semaglutide made up 9.1%.

GLP-1 receptor agonists operate by reducing appetite and increasing feelings of fullness, which curbs overall food intake. While this mechanism drives weight loss, the study notes that the developmental stage introduces distinct nutritional vulnerabilities.

As the use of GLP-1s in pediatric populations increases, it is important to identify the risks that can emerge during periods of rapid growth and pubertal development.

Vitamin D, iron, and calcium intake must be monitored to ensure these nutrients are adequately consumed.

Justin Ryder, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Nutritional Counseling Rates Remain Low

Along with tracking deficiency diagnoses, the research team examined how frequently patients received professional nutritional guidance after beginning their medication. Only 5% of patients completed nutritional counseling within 30 days of starting treatment. Fewer than 25% received counseling within the first six months.

Ryder emphasized that proactive steps should accompany pharmacological care. Justin Ryder stated that it is important to actively manage treatment from the start of GLP-1 therapy to prevent nutritional deficiencies from developing.

Study authors noted several limitations in their design. Because the investigation relied on insurance claims data, it was observational and cannot establish direct causation between GLP-1 medications and nutritional deficiencies. The dataset also lacked measurements for actual food intake and precise individual weight changes.