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GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Prescribing Practices in a Pediatric Weight Management Program
Robert Siegel1,2, Thomas Borders3, Kristin Stackpole1,2
1The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Childhood Obesity (Print)
|June 4, 2025
Summary
Glucagon-like peptide receptor agonists (GLP1-RAs) are increasingly prescribed for pediatric obesity. Prescribing patterns indicate use is linked to disease severity, not patient demographics or insurance status.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Obesity Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The use of glucagon-like peptide receptor agonists (GLP1-RAs) in pediatric obesity management is rising.
- Concerns exist regarding potential inequities in GLP1-RA access and prescription due to cost, insurance, and provider practices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the prescribing practices of GLP1-RAs within a pediatric weight management program.
- To identify factors influencing GLP1-RA prescription in this population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 2,563 pediatric patients from July 2021 to June 2023.
- Data collected included demographics, anthropometrics (p95%BMI), and laboratory values (HbA1c, ALT).
- Analysis compared patients prescribed GLP1-RAs versus those not, including metformin use.
Main Results:
- Patients prescribed GLP1-RAs exhibited significantly higher HbA1c (6.5% vs. 5.6%), ALT (79 IU vs. 37 IU), and p95%BMI (169 vs. 141) compared to non-users.
- No significant differences were observed in race, sex, ethnicity, or insurance status between the groups.
- GLP1-RA prescription was strongly associated with indicators of disease burden.
Conclusions:
- GLP1-RA prescribing in pediatric weight management appears driven by clinical disease severity.
- These findings suggest that current prescribing practices may mitigate inequities related to non-clinical factors.
- Further research should explore long-term outcomes and cost-effectiveness.
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