In Chattanooga, Tennessee, 17-year-old Israel McKenzie faced significant challenges due to his obesity, causing him to withdraw from school and struggle with low self-esteem at work. Despite numerous attempts to lose weight through diet and exercise, McKenzie’s weight had reached 335 pounds on his 6-foot-1 frame, leaving him feeling hopeless.
However, a significant turning point came for McKenzie when he started using the weight-loss drug Wegovy, leading to a remarkable loss of 110 pounds in just nine months. McKenzie’s success story is part of a growing trend among adolescents and young adults who are turning to medications like GLP-1 receptor agonists to address issues related to diabetes and obesity.
Recent research has shown a substantial increase in the monthly use of medications like Ozempic and Wegovy among individuals aged 12 to 25. Analysis of prescription data from nearly 94% of U.S. retail pharmacies revealed that in 2023 alone, over 31,000 children aged 12 to 17 and more than 162,000 individuals aged 18 to 25 used these medications.
Dr. Joyce Lee, a pediatrician and diabetes expert from the University of Michigan who led the research, emphasized that the rise in the use of GLP-1 drugs indicates a growing recognition among healthcare providers of the benefits of these medications for younger populations. The number of 12- to 25-year-olds using GLP-1 drugs increased significantly from about 8,700 a month in 2020 to over 60,000 a month in 2023, marking a nearly 600% rise.
Despite the increase in prescriptions for GLP-1 drugs, Dr. Lee noted that those receiving the medication represent only a fraction of young people struggling with obesity. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 20% of children and adolescents and 42% of adults in the U.S. have obesity, highlighting the widespread nature of this chronic condition.
The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends early evaluation and aggressive treatment, including medication and surgery if necessary, for children and teens dealing with obesity. For McKenzie, connecting with Dr. Joani Jack, a pediatric obesity specialist, marked a significant turning point in his journey to better health.
Under Dr. Jack’s care, McKenzie started using Wegovy, a weight-loss drug approved for children over age 12, alongside other treatment interventions. Thousands of kids in McKenzie’s age group received Wegovy in 2023, highlighting the growing prevalence of medication as a tool for managing obesity in younger populations.
McKenzie’s experience with Wegovy has been transformative, leading to improved health outcomes and increased self-confidence. While some young people may experience side effects from these medications, the long-term safety and effectiveness of GLP-1 drugs for this population remain important considerations. Additionally, cost and access barriers exist for many individuals seeking these treatments, with government-run Medicaid plans and commercial insurance playing a significant role in covering expenses for these medications.
McKenzie’s story serves as a testament to the impact of innovative treatments like Wegovy in helping young people overcome obesity and reclaim their health and confidence.