Did you know that numerous GLP-1 medications have been approved by the FDA for pediatric patients age 12 and older? GLP-1 medications can be used in select cases to assist with weight management, offering avenues for pediatric specialists to support their patients, especially those with multiple coexisting health conditions.
The Healthy First Program at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital has integrated these medications as a part of some patients’ treatment plans, showing promising results and outcomes. Despite the potential benefits of GLP-1’s in certain cases, myths and misconceptions continue to circulate around how these medications work, leading parents to question safety and potential side effects.
Dr. Rahiya Rehman, a pediatric gastroenterologist with the Healthy First Program, explains these myths, what we know about how GLP-1 mediations can support patients, the limitations of these medications, and how the Healthy First Program takes a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to supporting pediatric patients’ health goals.
“Social media has perpetuated a lot of misconceptions around GLP-1 medications,” said Dr. Rehman. “The most common one I see is concerns around gastroparesis or stomach paralysis.” While Rehman explains that the term gastroparesis might sound scary, it’s actually a core function of how GLP-1 medications work and isn’t nearly as extreme as information on the internet may lead parents to believe.
While gastroparesis can be used to refer to complete paralysis of the stomach, it is also used to describe the slowing of stomach emptying. GLP-1 medications function by slowing down the movement of food from the stomach through the intestinal tract, allowing patients to feel fuller more quickly and stay fuller for longer periods of time. This, in turn, leads to reduced food intake, which helps patients better manage portion control and caloric deficits needed to lose weight. These medications can also help patients see changes in the scale more quickly.
“When used alongside healthy lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise changes, noticeable weight loss within the first few weeks can encourage young patients to maintain those healthy changes in the long term, even if the overall rate of weight loss slows over time,” explained Dr. Rehman. “The most important thing is developing a healthy lifestyle and healthy habits. Our multidisciplinary team ensures that patients and families are supported so that they can live their best lives.”
The Healthy First program is committed to helping children and families reach their health goals through comprehensive care, from expert gastroenterologists, to counseling, to nutrition services. The team at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital always places compassionate, evidence-based care at the forefront.
