Pharmacotherapy for Children and Adolescents With Overweight or Obesity: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Diabetes Obes MetabJun 17, 2026 (epub)
Li Luo, Tingting Huang, Zijing Yan et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This systematic review and network meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of pharmacologic interventions for overweight or obesity in children and adolescents. Analyzing 41 randomized controlled trials with 3923 participants, semaglutide was found to produce the largest reduction in the 95th BMI percentile, with a mean difference of -20.40%.
Key findings
- Semaglutide led to a mean difference of -20.40% in the 95th BMI percentile compared to lifestyle modification alone.
- Phentermine-topiramate resulted in a mean difference of -18.35% in the 95th BMI percentile.
- Semaglutide had an additional 500 patients per 1000 person-years achieving ≥5% BMI reduction.
- Phentermine-topiramate had 734 additional responders per 1000 person-years achieving ≥10% BMI reduction.
Why it matters
The rising rates of childhood obesity necessitate effective interventions. This analysis highlights pharmacotherapy options that can significantly enhance weight management when combined with lifestyle changes, providing clinicians with evidence-based treatment strategies.