Why Childhood Obesity must be stopped in its tracks

Childhood obesity is not just fat but involves visceral fat and other excessive parameters that can impact an individual’s health throughout the journey from childhood to adulthood. Please comment on how to tackle childhood obesity from the beginning.

Mr. Venkat Kalyan, General Manager
Gulf Affiliate at Novo Nordisk, the makers of Ozempic® and
Wegovy® responds to questions regarding obesity,
weight loss and childhood/adolescent obesity.

Childhood obesity must be taken seriously because it leads to severe, long-term health complications such as diabetes, hypertension, and a shorter lifespan, often persisting into adulthood. It can also cause significant mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, while increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and even certain cancers.

A child is considered overweight if their BMI is between the 85th and 95th percentile according to the SDS charts. This means their weight is higher than 85% of kids their age but not as high as 95%. Doctors use this to help kids make healthy lifestyle choices.

Children with a BMI at or above the 95th percentile are classified as obese. This means they face a higher risk of health issues.

Supporting children living with obesity requires a compassionate, family-centered approach focused on health rather than weight. Making physical activity a fun family activity, improving nutritional habits, and reducing screen time are all positive ways parents can support their children, rather than focusing solely on calorie restriction.

When should we become mindful of a child’s BMI before it escalates?

We really want to see children have their health addressed as soon as possible in the disease progression, using existing treatments that are proven to work. Research proves that without intervention, around 80% of obese adolescents would transition into adulthood obesity. We want to work with parents to stop childhood/adolescent obesity in its tracks.

When people talk about obesity – it is not just about being overweight, but it also has to do with intrinsic co-morbidities such as fat percentage, visceral fat and other health risks…?

Parents should address their kids’ weight as a positive, family-oriented quest for health. It’s not about being thin. It’s about trying to be the healthiest versions of ourselves so we can have long, productive lives.

However, we also must acknowledge that obesity is a complex, chronic disease that can’t always be treated with diet and exercise alone. Sometimes, medication is a necessary part of the equation, and any decision should be taken under a doctor’s supervision.

Addressing childhood/adolescent obesity is about fostering healthy children, nourishing your child regardless of the size of their body, and encouraging, instilling, and supporting healthy habits for a lifetime.

Why have weight loss medications become so important; can they play a role in controlling obesity, before it escalates to life-threatening comorbidities?

Weight loss medications, particularly the new generation of GLP1s, have become critically important because they offer a highly effective, pharmacological intervention that addresses obesity as a chronic disease rather than a personal failure. Drugs like semaglutide (registered in UAE with the brand name Wegovy®) can play a major role in controlling obesity early by promoting significant weight loss – often 17-20% or more – which can reverse early-stage metabolic damage and prevent the development of life-threatening comorbidities like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and liver disease.

How does semaglutide work in adolescents?

Wegovy® is the only FDA-approved medication for chronic weight management in adolescents aged 12 years and older with obesity. It is a once-weekly injectable. Wegovy® acts as a GLP-1 receptor agonist in adolescents aged 12 and older, mimicking a natural gut hormone to regulate appetite. It works by signalling the brain to feel full sooner, reducing appetite, reducing food cravings, and slowing gastric emptying, leading to significant reductions in body mass index (BMI) when combined with lifestyle changes.

Are there any contraindications?

Wegovy® is one of the most effective and clinically proven weight management medicines available today. Contraindications include serious hypersensitivity to semaglutide or to any of the excipients.

How soon will this be available in the UAE?

Wegovy® is now available in the UAE and is indicated for the treatment of obesity and weight management of both adults and adolescents between 12-18 years old.

Can you give meaningful tips regarding the use of semaglutide?

Semaglutide is the only US FDA-approved molecule approved for the treatment of six diseases across three brands (Ozempic®, Rybelsus® and Wegovy®), including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, weight management, adolescent obesity, and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) or fatty liver disease, meeting a significant un-met need. * Like any drug, semaglutide has contraindications and precautions. We always recommend consulting a physician before initiating the treatment as everyone is unique and the treatment should be adapted to each patient.