A new study from Sweden has found that liraglutide, a medication originally used to treat diabetes and obesity in adults, is helping severely obese children lose weight. But there’s more good news. The treatment is also helping families have more peaceful meals, without the usual fights over food.
This research, carried out at the National Childhood Obesity Centre in Stockholm, looked at how liraglutide worked in real-life settings. Over the past several years, the center followed 1,000 children under the age of 16. These children were part of a treatment program for severe obesity. The researchers found that adding liraglutide to the usual healthy eating and exercise plans improved results and made a real difference at home.
What is Liraglutide?
Liraglutide, sold under the brand name Saxenda, is part of a group of medicines known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. These drugs help people feel less hungry by acting on hormones that control appetite. They are already approved for adult use, and more recently, have been allowed for limited use in children in some countries, including the UK.
Children in the study usually started using liraglutide six to twelve months after beginning the lifestyle program. This gave them time to build healthy habits before starting the injections. Doctors say this may be one reason the treatment worked well—it added to the progress children were already making.
Study Shows Clear Benefits
In 2023, about one-quarter of the children in the program received liraglutide as part of their treatment. Nearly one in three of these children lost enough weight to see major health benefits. That is slightly better than the results for children who followed the same program without liraglutide, where 27% had similar success.
Lead researcher Dr. Annika Janson from Karolinska University Hospital said that liraglutide made a noticeable difference, not just on the scale but also at the dinner table. “For many children, not feeling hungry all the time was a completely new experience,” she explained.
Dr. Janson added that smaller portion sizes and fewer cravings helped families avoid arguments at mealtime. Parents often feel pressure to make sure their kids eat enough—but not too much. The drug made it easier to find that balance, she said.
A New Drug Enters the Scene
In 2024, the clinic began using another GLP-1 drug called semaglutide, sold under the brand name Wegovy. This medication is similar to liraglutide but often works even more effectively in adults. Doctors hope it will be just as useful in young patients. However, results from this group of children are not yet available, as the program is still ongoing.
Like liraglutide, semaglutide works by making the person feel full sooner and longer. Both drugs are taken as injections, usually once a day or once a week, depending on the version.
Not a Magic Fix—But a Helpful Tool
Dr. Janson made it clear that GLP-1 medications are not a magic fix for childhood obesity. They work best when combined with healthy eating, regular activity, and support from family and doctors. But for many families, the medication can be the extra push that leads to real change.
“Not every child will respond,” she said, “but many do. More children should be offered access to these effective medications.”
Smart Scales Help Track Progress at Home
While Sweden explores new medication options, the UK is rolling out high-tech tools to help families manage obesity at home. NHS England is expanding its use of “smart scales” across the country. These special bathroom scales connect to an app and send weight updates directly to the child’s healthcare team.
About 350 families in 15 clinics are already using the smart scales, and more locations will be added this summer. One important feature is that the scales do not show the weight numbers to the child. This helps avoid stress or anxiety about specific figures. Instead, the focus is on trends and healthy habits.
The child’s doctor or nurse can see the data and send messages to help keep the child on track. These may include tips, praise, or reminders to stay active.
Experts Support Gentle Support Over Pressure
Professor Simon Kenny, who leads children’s health for NHS England, called the smart scales a “gamechanger.” He said they allow families to build better habits without always going to the clinic.
Tam Fry, a spokesman for the National Obesity Forum, said some people may worry about too much monitoring. However, he supports the idea of “soft nudging with oversight.” In his view, this kind of gentle support works better than strict rules or punishments.
“Families need help, not blame,” he said. “These tools make it easier to stay on track.”
Childhood Obesity: A Growing Problem
Obesity in children is a serious and growing problem in many countries. In both Europe and the United States, the number of children with obesity has gone up in recent decades. Children with obesity are more likely to develop health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, joint pain, and low self-esteem.
Treating obesity early is key to preventing long-term health issues. But for many families, it can be hard to find treatments that work. Medications like liraglutide and semaglutide may offer a helpful new option, especially when paired with lifestyle changes.
As more data comes in from both Sweden and the UK, experts hope to build better systems to help children live healthier lives—without shame, pressure, or stress.