A new study reveals that GLP1R medications not only aid in weight loss for adolescents with obesity but may also significantly lower the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, offering hope for improved mental health outcomes. Study: Risk of Suicidal Ideation or Attempts in Adolescents With Obesity Treated With GLP1 Receptor Agonists . Image Credit: SeventyFour/Shutterstock.
com In a recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics , researchers examined the links between the use of certain medications used to treat obesity in adolescents and their likelihood of suicidal thoughts or attempts. The findings indicate that adolescents who are prescribed glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1R) to treat obesity showed lower rates of suicidal thoughts and attempts than those prescribed lifestyle interventions, suggesting that the medication has psychiatric benefits. Background Estimates suggest that childhood obesity affects more than 124 million children and adolescents globally, increasing eight-fold among children between 5 and 19 in the past four decades.
More than half of children could have obesity by 35 if current trends continue, and the recent pandemic worsened outcomes for adolescents diagnosed with obesity. Childhood obesity has been implicated in several health issues in the immediate and long term, including liver disease, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and premature death. Genetic factors associated with appetite regulation are an important factor for obesity deve.