GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in the Treatment of Pediatric Obesity: Therapeutic Advances and Metabolic Repercussions

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.0159672604066

• Palavras-chave: Pediatric Obesity; GLP-1 Receptor Agonists; Weight Loss; Metabolic Syndrome

• Keywords: Pediatric Obesity; GLP-1 Receptor Agonists; Weight Loss; Metabolic Syndrome

• Abstract:

  Pharmacotherapy for pediatric obesity is a fundamental area of metabolic health that utilizes GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and aims to enable a substantial reduction in Body Mass Index (BMI) in young people, allowing for an understanding of appetite regulation and the importance of early pharmacological intervention as a tool for the prevention of chronic diseases. Treatment is carried out using medications such as semaglutide (administered weekly), liraglutide, and exenatide, ranging from the management of challenging conditions (such as severe obesity and multimorbidity due to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus) to mandatory integration with lifestyle interventions and behavioral health support. The most evident results are: the diversification of effective therapeutic tools, increased success rates in weight loss and the reversal of comorbidities (such as metabolic and steatotic liver disease—MASLD), and the development of a clinical awareness focused on quality of life, long-term safety, and ethical considerations related to cost and access to treatment.