A noteworthy shift is unfolding in teen healthcare: the weight-loss drug Wegovy—a GLP‑1 therapy by Novo Nordisk—has seen a dramatic 50% rise in prescriptions among U.S. adolescents over the past year.
📊 By the Numbers
- In 2023, 9.9 teens per 100,000 began Wegovy treatment.
- That number climbed to 14.8 per 100,000 in 2024—marking a 50% increase streetinsider.com+9reuters.com+9hawaiitribune-herald.com+9yahoo.com.
- In early 2025, the rate rose again to 17.3 per 100,000 reuters.com+1hawaiitribune-herald.com+1.
🎯 Who’s Behind the Data
These figures come from Truveta, a healthcare analytics firm that analyzed electronic health records from about 1.3 million patients aged 12–17 across 30 U.S. health systems, including 900 hospitals and 20,000 clinics reuters.com+1hawaiitribune-herald.com+1.
Why This Matters
- Teen obesity rates are high
Roughly 23% of U.S. teens aged 12–19—around 8 million—have obesity, up from just 5% in 1980 raps.org+9reuters.com+9content.next.westlaw.com+9. - Wegovy just isn’t enough—in volume yet
Despite the 50% growth, usage remains modest: only about 15–17 teens per 100,000 are on the medication, a drop in the bucket compared to those needing treatment hawaiitribune-herald.com+8reuters.com+8aol.com+8ramaonhealthcare.com+1yahoo.com+1. - Doctors still cautious
While some specialists like Dr. Cate Varney from UVA say “when lifestyle changes alone are insufficient, we need these additional tools,” many providers and parents are hesitant over long-term safety in developing teens reuters.com+1hawaiitribune-herald.com+1.
Success Stories—but with Reservations
At Nemours Children’s Hospital in Delaware:
- 25% of 2,000 teens received Wegovy or another GLP‑1.
- On average: 15 pounds lost in 6–12 months, and up to 30 pounds after a year streetinsider.com+9reuters.com+9hawaiitribune-herald.com+9.
However, high cost, insurance denials, unknown long-term effects on growth, metabolism, and the necessity for continuous use keep many families and doctors on the fence reuters.com+1aol.com+1.
🔍 What Lies Ahead
- Ongoing monitoring: Experts stress the need for long-term studies to track metabolic, developmental, and psychological effects.
- Insurance expansion? Coverage remains limited; pushing insurers to reconsider could expand access.
- Lifelong approaches: GLP‑1 meds are best paired with lifestyle interventions—nutrition, exercise, behavioral support—to ensure lasting benefits.
💭 Final Thoughts
The rapid rise in teen Wegovy prescriptions reflects growing confidence in its effectiveness—and the urgency of addressing teen obesity. But widespread adoption remains constrained by safety concerns, cost, and incomplete long-term data. The next chapters in this story will unfold through ongoing studies, policy shifts, and real-world results.