When parents come to see me, it’s often after months or years of trying everything they can to help their child lose weight. They’ve cut out processed food and sugary snacks, encouraged exercise, set routines, and offered support at every turn. Yet the weight keeps creeping back. What I hear most often is, “We’ve done everything we can, and nothing works.”
As a doctor who has specialised in medical weight management for over 20 years, I understand that frustration. Obesity is not caused by laziness or lack of care. It is a complex medical condition influenced by hormones, genetics, environment and, increasingly, the world our children are growing up in, one full of ultra-processed food, sedentary habits and social pressures that make it harder than ever to stay healthy.
The number of obese adolescents in the UK has risen sharply in recent years. Alongside the physical risks such as diabetes and high blood pressure, there is a deep emotional cost. Many of the teenagers I meet feel isolated, anxious and ashamed. Their parents often feel helpless. My role is to give them hope, but also honesty: there are medical options that can help, but they need to be prescribed and form part of a treatment package which includes ongoing support for the young person and the parents.
Understanding GLP-1 medication: what it can and can’t do
Diet UK is the only medical practice in the UK to be licensed to treat with GLP-1 medication for adolescents so we are expert in this very specialised treatment.
These new medications have changed how we approach obesity. Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) belong to a class known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. They work by mimicking natural gut hormones that regulate appetite and blood sugar, helping people feel fuller sooner and stay satisfied for longer. For some patients, this provides the stability they need to make lasting changes to how they eat and live.
However, it’s important to be transparent. GLP-1 medications for adolescents are still relatively new, and long-term safety data are limited. In the UK, Wegovy is licensed for use in adolescents aged 12 to 17 who are obese, while Mounjaro is licensed only for adults. Clinical trials in young people show an average weight reduction of around 15 per cent after 68 weeks of treatment, but we do not yet know the long-term effects once treatment stops.
There are also risks. Some patients may experience mild symptoms such as nausea, constipation or tiredness, but some may experience vomiting, diarrhoea or abdominal pain. In rare cases, there can be inflammation of the pancreas or gallbladder. These side effects are why it is imperative that medication is prescribed and monitored in a medical setting. Stopping GLP-1 treatment can also lead to weight regain if healthy habits are not firmly in place. The medication helps to control appetite, but it does not cure obesity. To maintain results, patients need to be guided to sustainable ways to eat, move and manage stress, and that takes expert support and time.
Current NICE guidance in England recommends that pharmacological treatments for adolescent obesity should only be considered when intensive lifestyle interventions have already been tried and have not been successful. This is how we practise. At our clinic, every young person undergoes a full assessment, and medication is considered only after structured nutritional and behavioural support has been attempted.
Taking a holistic approach
Prescribing to adolescents requires careful ethical consideration. These are young people whose bodies are still developing. I never view medication as a first resort. It is an adjunct to a broader programme that includes lifestyle change, psychological support and close medical monitoring.
Every adolescent patient who enters our care undergoes a medical examination, blood tests and a psychological screening to assess readiness and mental wellbeing. We look at BMI, growth patterns, family history and emotional maturity. Some young people are not suitable for treatment, for example those with eating disorders, certain endocrine conditions or unresolved mental health challenges. In those cases, we work with parents to explore other types of support such as family-based behavioural therapy, nutritional counselling or physical activity coaching.
For those who are eligible, we begin slowly, at the lowest dose, and titrate up only if tolerated. Regular reviews are mandatory. We discuss physical progress, emotional health and any side effects in detail. Parents are always part of the process.
Bella’s story
One family I worked with illustrates how this can help. Their 13-year-old daughter Bella had struggled with her weight for years. Her BMI was above the 99th percentile for her age, placing her in the category of severe obesity. She had completed a six-month lifestyle programme involving diet, activity and counselling, but her weight remained unchanged. Her confidence collapsed, she was being bullied at school and was becoming increasingly withdrawn.
After thorough assessment and parental consent, we started Wegovy at a low dose, combined with nutritional support and regular check-ins. Over the next eight months, she lost about three stone, steady, supervised progress that brought her BMI back into a healthy range. More importantly, her mood improved, she re-engaged with school activities and her family life became calmer. A year later, she has maintained her weight within a safe range.
Cases like this remind me that the aim is never cosmetic. It is to prevent the long-term complications of obesity while restoring a young person’s sense of wellbeing. But I am equally clear that this treatment is not for everyone. For some adolescents, the right solution remains diet, exercise and counselling. My duty as a doctor is to decide who will truly benefit and who might be better served by other forms of support.
Ethics, expectations and evidence
Prescribing medication to adolescents always requires caution. Some paediatric endocrinologists have expressed concern about medicalising teenage bodies, and I understand their perspective. Adolescence is a period of rapid growth and emotional change, and we must avoid setting unrealistic expectations about body image.
That is why we take great care to screen for body dysmorphia, disordered eating and low self-esteem before any treatment begins. The goal is health, not thinness. Each consultation includes open discussions with parents about expectations, emotional wellbeing and the importance of balance.
Clinical evidence shows that GLP-1s can be effective when used responsibly, but not everyone responds the same way. Some lose significant weight, others only a modest amount. In some cases, the medication needs to be discontinued if side effects persist or if there is no meaningful progress. When that happens, we focus on reinforcing healthy habits through nutrition and movement. Success is measured not only by the scale but by improved confidence, sleep, mobility and mental health.
We also acknowledge that obesity is a chronic, relapsing condition. Even with medication, relapse is common if support ends too soon. That is why follow-up care is essential. When treatment concludes, we reduce the dose gradually and continue monitoring. Many families stay in touch long after the medication has stopped, and we work together to prevent rebound weight gain through realistic, sustainable lifestyle strategies.
Cost and access
Medical treatment for obesity should never be a privilege. I believe in transparency about cost so that families can make informed decisions. Our consultation fee is £50, which includes a full assessment with a doctor. The ongoing clinical support package starts at £165 per month, covering medical reviews, nutritional advice and access to 24-hour professional guidance. The medication itself is not included in that fee.
At present, the retail price of Wegovy in the UK ranges from approximately £160 to £300 per month depending on dosage. Mounjaro, for adults, is at a similar price point. In total, an annual course of treatment including medical supervision can cost between £2,000 and £3,000. These treatments are not currently covered by NHS or private insurance, so families need to budget carefully before committing.
I understand that this represents a significant investment, but for families who have reached a point of despair, structured medical care can bring clarity and control. For others, lifestyle and counselling programmes remain the better option. The important thing is that parents know what is available, what is safe and what to expect.
A message to parents
If your child is struggling with weight, please know that you are not alone. Obesity is a medical condition, not a personal failure. It can affect even the most caring families, and it often requires professional intervention. Medication may be part of the solution for some, but it is never the whole answer. It must come with education, structure and support.
What gives me hope is seeing how young people respond when they are treated with understanding rather than judgement. With the right care, they learn to eat well, move confidently and rebuild self-esteem. The progress might be gradual, but it is real.
If you are unsure about whether medical treatment is right for your family, the best first step is simply to talk. A consultation with a doctor experienced in obesity medicine will help you understand your options, whether that involves GLP-1 medication, nutritional therapy or behavioural support. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, only careful, compassionate care tailored to each child.
This article is written by Dr Sindy Newman, founder of Diet UK, to inform readers about doctor-led approaches to adolescent obesity. GLP-1 medications should only be prescribed under medical supervision after other interventions have been explored.