GLP-1RAs safely reduces weight, improves glycaemic control in obese kids

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) can induce moderate losses in weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in young people with obesity, a recent meta-analysis has shown. Treatment with GLP-1 agonists is also relatively safe and does not impart heightened risks of gastrointestinal symptoms.

Drawing from the databases of Web of Science, PubMed/Medline, and Scopus, the researchers retrieved nine studies including 574 children and adolescents. Three studies administered exenatide while the remaining six used liraglutide.

GLP-1RAs led to a modest but significant drop in body weight (mean difference [MD], –1.50 kg, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], –2.50 to –0.50), as well as in BMI (MD, –1.24 kg, 95 percent CI, –1.71 to –0.77) and BMI z score (MD, –0.14, 95 percent CI, –0.23 to –0.06).

GLP-1RAs likewise improved glycaemic control in children with proven insulin resistance, leading to significant reductions in HbA1c (MD, –1.05 percent, 95 percent CI, –1.93 to –0.18). A similar effect was reported for systolic blood pressure (MD, –2.30 mm Hg, 95 percent CI, –4.11 to –0.49), though no cumulative change was recorded for lipid profile.

Safety analysis revealed that GLP-1RAs increased the risk of nausea by more than twice (risk ratio, 2.11, 95 percent CI, 1.44–3.09) but had no effect on other gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting.

“Ultimately, this meta-analysis indicates that GLP-1RAs are safe, tolerable, and effective in improving cardiometabolic profile in children with obesity,” the researchers said.