News about Aaron Kelly

To shield children from a lifetime of obesity and its associated health issues, a weight loss jab could be given to children as young as 12 years old. However, experts warn that kids will gain weight after they stopped, indicating that they will likely be taking it 'for life.'

The Food and Drug Administration had extended the drug's clearance to include children, according to Danish manufacturer Novo Nordisk. Last year, it had previously received federal permission for use in adults. Teenagers aged 12 to 17 who underwent the weekly injection lost 14 percent of their body weight over 64 weeks, according to clinical reports. This is almost identical to adult trials, where recipients lost 15% of their weight after 68 weeks.

Children aged 12 to 17 years old were given semaglutide - brand name Wegovy - every week for 16 months. On average, they lost 15% of their body fat, while a third lost more than a fifth. For comparison, a control group was given counselling and recommendations on diets and exercise over the same period. However, they gained 2.4 percent more weight, though their BMI increased by 0.6 percent. The drug, according to the University of Minnesota researchers who supervised the study, was the'most highly effective anti-obesity treatment for teenagers' to date. Participants came to them'in tears, some of whom were so happy with the results, while others said the drug made her 'feel better within their own skin.'