WHO advises against obesity medical interventions for children under 10

Guidance reported October 7 excludes pharmacological treatment, surgery and weight loss devices for children 0 to 9 years.

Vera Castillo

Food is Medicine Writer

Stands on 5 placed sources from 2 publishers.

WHO advises against medical interventions for young obese children AI illustrationhow this picture was made

The World Health Organization has stated pharmacological obesity treatment, bariatric surgery and weight loss devices are not recommended for children aged 0 to 9 years. The position was reported 7 October 2026.^[1] Dr Ashish Gautam, principal director robotic surgery at Max Super Speciality Hospital New Delhi, stated bariatric surgery remains essential for obesity care despite Ozempic and other weight loss medications.^[2] Gautam stated weight loss medications do not produce sufficient sustained weight loss for many patients with severe obesity and existing health complications.^[3] He advised obesity treatment decisions should be individualised based on BMI, comorbidities, prior treatment response and waist circumference.^[4] A 2023 ICMR study published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology estimated 35 crore adults in India have abdominal obesity, with 25 crore having generalised obesity.^[5]

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The WHO stated that pharmacological obesity treatment, bariatric surgery, and weight-loss devices are not recommended for children aged 0 to 9 years. · Medical Xpress
Dr Ashish Gautam, principal director robotic surgery at Max Super Speciality Hospital New Delhi, stated bariatric surgery remains essential for obesity care despite Ozempic and other weight loss medications. · Hindustan TimesIndia
Dr Gautam stated weight loss medications do not produce sufficient sustained weight loss for many patients with severe obesity and existing health complications. · Hindustan TimesIndia
Dr Gautam stated obesity treatment decisions should be individualised based on BMI, comorbidities, prior treatment response and waist circumference. · Hindustan TimesIndia
A 2023 ICMR study published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology estimated 35 crore adults in India have abdominal obesity, with 25 crore having generalised obesity. · Hindustan TimesIndia

The one we could place publishes from India. 1 could not be placed by their address. None is an official body: that part stands on reporting, not on the underlying document or transcript.