WHO issues first guidelines advising against weight-loss drugs for under-10s

The World Health Organization released its first obesity guidelines on Wednesday, advising structured diets, physical activity, and behavioral changes for children rather than medical treatments.

The WHO stated it does not recommend pharmacological treatment, bariatric surgery, or weight-loss devices for children aged zero to nine years.

For adolescents aged 10 to 19, approved medicines or bariatric surgery may be considered strictly under severe conditions when structured lifestyle programs fail.