WHO bars obesity drugs and bariatric surgery for children under 10

The World Health Organization published the new international clinical guidance on October 7, 2026.

Food is Medicine Writer

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WHO guidance prioritizes nutrition and activity for young children's health AI illustrationhow this picture was made

The World Health Organization released new global guidelines on October 7, 2026, advising against use of GLP-1 agonist weight loss medications, bariatric surgery and weight management devices for all children under 10 years of age.^[1] Dr. Luz De Rigil, Director of Nutrition and Food Safety at WHO, confirmed the formal recommendation applies to all three intervention categories for this age group.^[2] Instead of medical or surgical interventions, the guidelines direct clinical care to nutrition support, physical activity and family-involved behavioural support.^[3] No exceptions are permitted under the published guidance.^[4]

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The World Health Organization (WHO) released new international guidelines on childhood and adolescent obesity on a Wednesday, advising against pharmacological treatments based on GLP-1 agonists, such as Ozempic or Wegovy, and bariatric surgery for children under 10. · SaludSpain
Dr. Luz De Rigil, Director of Nutrition and Food Safety at WHO, said that for children under 10, WHO does not recommend obesity medicines, bariatric surgery, or weight-management devices. · BBC NewsUnited Kingdom
For children under 10, the WHO advises against using obesity drugs, bariatric surgery, and weight-loss devices, recommending instead that treatment focus on nutrition, physical activity, and behavioral support with family involvement. · Perfil
The World Health Organization published new official guidelines in 2024 advising against GLP-1 drugs, bariatric surgery and weight loss devices for all children under 10 years old, with no exceptions permitted. · El Día

They publish from Spain, United Kingdom. 2 could not be placed by their address. None is an official body: that part stands on reporting, not on the underlying document or transcript.