A NEW study has found that the weight-loss drug liraglutide is safe and effective for children aged 6 to <12 years who are living with obesity. The findings were presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting in Madrid, Spain.
Liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, works by reducing appetite, slowing food digestion, and promoting feelings of fullness. Already approved for use in adults and adolescents, this is the first study to demonstrate its safety and efficacy in younger children.
The SCALE Kids trial is a randomised, Phase III, multicentre, placebo-controlled trial of liraglutide 3.0 mg coupled with dietary and physical activity counselling in children aged 6 to <12 years with obesity (BMI ≥95th percentile). The trial randomised 82 children, 56 of whom received liraglutide and 26 received a placebo over a 56-week treatment period, followed by a 26-week off-treatment period. At baseline, average age was 10 years, BMI was 31.0 kg/m2, and body weight was 70.2 kg.
Results revealed that, at the end of the treatment period, the mean change in BMI was −5.8% for liraglutide and +1.6% for placebo, a difference of 7.4%. A BMI reduction of at least 5% was observed in 46.2% of children receiving liraglutide, and 8.7% receiving placebo.
In addition to BMI reduction, children taking liraglutide saw improvements in blood pressure and blood sugar control. However, gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea were common, affecting 80.4% of liraglutide recipients compared to 53.8% of those on the placebo. Serious adverse events occurred in 12.5% of the liraglutide group and 7.7% of the placebo group.
Lead researcher Claudia Fox from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA, stated: “Obesity is the most common chronic disease of childhood, and early intervention is critical.” She emphasised the limitations of traditional obesity treatments, which rely on lifestyle changes alone, and often result in modest outcomes.
Despite some adverse effects, the study concluded that liraglutide was effective and well-tolerated overall. Fox expressed optimism: “The results of this study offer considerable promise to children living with obesity,” paving the way for more effective treatment options.
Ada Enesco, EMJ
Reference
Fox C et al. Liraglutide 3.0 mg for the treatment of obesity in children aged 6 to <12 years: results from the first randomised, phase 3 study. Abstract LBA 13. EASD Annual Meeting, 9–13 September, 2024.
